An Eye for Art

Chapter Nineteen

"Come on, Adilene. Pick up. Pick up." Gabriel pleads, tapping his fingers against his thigh.

"This number is currently unavailable. Please leave a message at the tone."

"Oh my god, girl! Fucking voicemail." Beep.

"Adilene. This is the fiftieth call I've made. I don't know what happened between Ashlan and you, but you need to get your ass back here. I can't believe you're going to miss graduation because you and her fought. Please call me as soon as you get this." Gabriel ends the voicemail and groans. Tapping his foot on the ground, he sighs and drags his hands down his face, pulling his under eyes down. Her big day, and she's gone.

Once everyone was checked in, students lined up as practiced, ready to parade down to their seats. Gabriel rushes to his spot and holds his phone in his hand, praying Adilene calls before it's too late. The line shifts forward as trumpets blow with the percussion rolling in notes behind them.

Fuck, Adilene. Where are you???

Newman stands among the rest of his colleagues as the paradial music blares. His tassel and gown blow around as the wind dances around. With a smile etched on his face, he observes every student as they work their way to their seats, his thoughts flooding with images of Adilene. She's laying cold and restless in the basement bedroom. He needed to be there to hold her. To keep her warm.

Everyone smiled: Family, friends, faculty, and students. The trees sway with grace, the leaves and grass radiate with lush green, and the sun sparkles with bright futures. This is a joyous moment, but Gabriel's mind lingers around Adilene and where she could be. Mason didn't answer when he called. Ashlan shrugged him off, exerting hatred toward both Adilene and him.

Half way through the march in, Gabriel spotted Ashlan standing by her seat already. He doesn't understand what he did to her, but it's infuriating him to know that she doesn't care about Adilene's well being. Didn't care to find out where she went. Gabriel ponders the situation; nineteen years of friendship, and this is how it ends? Poor, Adilene, where are you?

With every student and faculty member standing by their chair, the music fades out as Brown's president situates himself by the center podium.

"Please rise for the presentation of colors. . ." The American and Naval flag flies through the air as a male of the graduating class sings the national anthem.

"Even if never before," proceeds a faculty member, "join me in these prayers. . ."

The faculty member shares her prayers with the people, but Gabriel tunes out with his own plea. Please be safe Adilene. God, please be somewhere safe and healthy. Let there be a reasonable explanation for your absence.

"Amen. . ." The faculty member sits down as another senior member welcomes our class.

"By the authority vested in me, by the charter of Brown University, and the board of fellows of the corporation. I hear by declare the 251st commencement of Brown University convened. " Everyone begins to cheer. Loud hoots and hollers rage from the graduates and families. "Good morning! Welcome to this historic place, on this absolutely glorious day. These will be your last academic exercises as Brown Undergraduates. In a few minutes, you will be formally granted your degrees, and when you walk back up the hill to the main green, you will do so as alumni of the great Brown University class of 2019. . ."

~~~~~~

Groaning, my eyes flutter. Tired. So cold. My hands grip the sheets under me, attempting to shield myself from the frosty air. In and out. Black and white. Grey and yellow textures tints; muddle. Exhaustion pulls me back under.