My Best Friend

I Did It

Thomas looked through his closet trying to find something nice to wear. He wanted to be there when Mindy graduated from high school. He didn't want to sit in the crowd with the rest of the guests, but he would be watching where Mindy could see him. He couldn't wait to see her. After graduation, she would be leaving her home and moving in with him. He sighed as he picked out a boring white shirt and a tie. It was supposed to be his new uniform for when he and Mindy started their jobs at the meat factory, but it was the only thing nice he had so they'd have to do.

"Tommy, you ready yet, boy?" Charlie called.

Thomas shook his head to himself and changed into his clothes. He smiled as he thought about how proud he was of Mindy. She went on to finish school after he dropped out. She didn't fall behind. She managed to learn more and became smarter than him while all he did was work around with Charlie and learn to skin animals.

"Tommy!" Charlie called again. "Hurry up or we're leaving without ya!"

Thomas looked in a mirror and frowned as he saw his face. He wished he wasn't so hideous as other people called him. Luda Mae took him to see doctors but there was nothing they could do. Whatever was wrong with his face was something he'd have forever. Thomas picked up his mask and tied it around his head hiding his mouth and nose. He ran downstairs where Charlie and Luda Mae were waiting for him.

"Oh, don't my boy look handsome?" Luda Mae said smiling.

"Come on, let's get this over with", Charlie grumbled as he grabbed a beer from the kitchen before walking out the door.

-------------------------------------------

Mindy sat with her graduating class not paying attention to the speeches from the principal and other people. She kept looking through the audience trying to find Thomas. She hoped he was there to see her complete her school years. It would be nice if the rest of his family showed up, but Thomas being there meant the most to her.

"Hey, get up!" someone next to her whispered.

Mindy's attention went back to the ceremony as the students in her row stood up to get their diplomas. They walked up to the stage where the principal was shaking hands and handing out diplomas. Mindy looked at the audience once again to try and find Thomas. She sighed as she saw no one. Not even her family showed up. Everything was always about Francis, not Mindy. She looked to the side by a tree where she saw someone waving. Mindy grinned.

"Tommy."

She would recognize that mask anywhere. Mindy paid attention as she shook the principal's hand and received her diploma. She raised it in the air and waved back at Thomas. She went back to her seat and waited for everyone else to receive their diplomas. Mindy stood and threw her cap into the air along with everyone else. She turned to the crowd and ran through to get to Thomas and the others.

"Tommy!" she cried in joy as she wrapped her arms around him. "Tommy, I did it!"

Thomas smiled as he hugged her back. Mindy lifted the bottom of his mask just enough to expose his lips. He almost pulled it back down, but stopped as she covered his lips with hers.

"And we're so proud of you!" Luda Mae said.

"Thank you, Mama."

"Yeah, yeah", Charlie said bored. "Can we leave now?"

"We need to pick up Mindy's things", Luda Mae said. "She's going to be living with us."