Letting You Go

4 | Breathe Again

June 2011

"Congratulations Class of 2011!!!"

I heard the principal say on the microphone.  As I look up, I saw a sea of graduation caps filled up the air and sounds of cheers surrounded me. I turned around and tried to figure out how in the world can I find her among the crowded room. Then there she was.  She had this huge smile flashed on her face and blew me a kiss and mouthed, "I love you." I winked at her, raised my fist, and shouted. "We did it!" 

I navigated myself towards her when a strong hand slapped me in the back. "We did it, buddy!  We made it!" Chase said enthusiastically.

"Yes, we did, man! How I wish Atti is here though." I said to him as we hugged each other.

"Me too, man, but hey, Atticus is making a ton of money now. I don't think he cares about getting his high school diploma." He chuckled.

"You're right! It would have been great if the three of us are marching today." I said to him.

I was a bit sad graduating today without Atticus. He got signed up by a record company last year with a group of boys. They have been making hit after hit for the past several months. When we last spoke to him, he told us that they were going on tour at the beginning of summer. It would have been nice if he was here, but just like what Chase said he is living our dream at eighteen. I was happy for him.

Tiny arms wrapped around Chase and me, making both of us smile.

"Congratulations to us!" Erin exclaimed.

"Well double congratulations to Jake, not to you free rider!" Chase teased her.

"If not for him, I don't think you will be here wearing that graduation gown," he added jokingly.

Erin frowned and jabbed his shoulder. Chase grabbed her and gave her a bear hug.

"I was just kidding you, Erin. Congratulations to us indeed. I am happy you are here celebrating with us," he uttered before giving Erin a soft kiss on the cheek.

"We should hang out together. I'll go meet up with my folks now. You know how they love spending time with each other's company. After our family dinner, I'll swing by Jake's after, yeah?" He said to us.

"Yes, sounds good. We'll see you later, Chasey!" Erin said to him after giving him a big hug back.

I put my arm on Erin's shoulder as we walked toward our parents. Today is such a great day. We graduated high school, Erin is here and healthy — sort of, and I will be going to Rutgers in the fall as planned. A few months ago, I did not even picture this happening to us. It's been one hell of a ride for us, but I am glad that we are finally back on track.

After her radiation in March, we waited for a few weeks before we heard the good news that she was on remission. We were so relieved that after months of many trips to the hospital, we can finally get on with our lives worry-free. It still took a couple more weeks before Erin was physically okay.

She's growing her hair back slowly and has gained weight, but she's far from being back to her normal self. She still has dark marks on her body because of the radiation. The doctor said it would clear out, eventually. What's important is she's cancer-free and with that, I was more than happy.

In May, we celebrated Erin's 18th birthday. We're back on being normal teenagers again. She was not into big parties, so we just went camping with Chase and other friends the weekend of her birthday. We went fishing, swimming, and we made Erin a s'more birthday cake. She loved it.

And then there was prom. Most people in school were glad that she's back and was happy to see her again. We danced, sang our hearts out, and had an amazing night. Well, except for Chase.