The Right Time (Together-Part 1)(Completed)

Chapter 23

Zosia

I manage to avoid having the conversation with him for the next few weeks. He knew that I wasn't ready yet and allowed me this time, but I know that the time is coming and I can't avoid it forever. We have also spent the last few weeks traveling back and forth to North Carolina to find a place near the college for the start of the school year in August.

Graduation day dawns bright and beautiful. Tonight will be the night that we have our talk. I know that I can't avoid it forever. Dorien doesn't know that I have a special surprise for him. Neither does anyone else. I got a note from my mom giving me permission to go to the graduation lock down at midnight so I can have a graduation dinner with Dorien. I don't plan on going to the lockdown at all. He keeps telling me that he has a gift for me. I can't wait to see what it is.

As I put the finishing touches on my hair for graduation, my mom calls up the stairs, "Zosia, come on! It's time to go!" "Be right there mom!" I yell back. I'm concerned that my mom hasn't remarried. I have talked her into going out on a few dates, but nothing or no one seems to stick to her. She always tells me, "When you have a man as good as your father for as long as I did, it's hard for anyone else to compare." I don't want to leave my mom alone when I go off to college, but she tells me that she will be fine.

The house that we are in was big when it was just the three of us. It was super big with just the two of us. But my mom says that right now she won't sell the house because it is our home. The home where we lived as a family. I am secretly glad that she's not selling it right now. I can't think of going home anyplace else right now. I still miss my dad so much, but I think that he would be proud of the young woman that I have become. I walk downstairs and we leave. My mom looks at me and says, "Your dad would be so proud of you right now." Her eyes have a sheen of tears in them. I tell her to stop or we would both be crying and I would have to start my makeup process all over again.

We get to the school and I go find Carly and Se so we can sit together for graduation. We're all excited and find out seats to start graduation. While we are waiting for all of the speeches to end and the actual graduation portion, Se leans over and asks, "Why are you not coming to the lockdown until midnight?"

"Dorien is going to take me out to dinner to celebrate my graduation. He's supposed to have something special planned." I tell her.

"Are you sure that it's not you that has something special planned?" Carly asks. My eyes widen and then I figure out that she's just kidding. I roll my eyes at her. "Whatever." Finally, they start calling names and we go up and get our diplomas. When they've called the last names and congratulate our class for graduating, we all throw up our caps and cheer. I find my cap and turn to hug Se and Carly. We find the rest of our friends and hug and congratulate them.

We look for our families and find Carly's first. After they hug and congratulate Carly, her mom grabs me in a big hug. She whispers in my ear, "Thanks for making friends with Carly. She has had the best school year of her life and it's because you took the time to speak to her. Thank you so much." I nod not being able to answer her. She pulls back and Sam and her dad give me a hug. Se's parents arrive while we're standing there hugging Carly's parents. I give them all hugs and then go find my family.

After I have hugged everyone I have seen, I meet Mom, Ms. Sherri, Mr. John and Dorien outside. They walk me over to my graduation present. Sitting in the parking lot with a big yellow bow is a dark blue BMW 525! I jump, I squeal, and I hug my mom. She tells me, "You deserve this for doing such a good job at school." "Also, now you don't have to beg any of us for our cars anymore, or beg for a ride from someone, you can just take yourself there."