Page 7 of Forged in Dusk
I pull on my dress, a simple, black dress that has some lace at the neckline. Next, I slide my feet into my booties, and then I pull on my graduation gown and take my graduation hat with my small black purse.
“I’m ready. Is Kitty meeting us at Golden One Center?”
“Yeah, she’s getting off work now, don’t worry, it’s going to be amazing. I’m so happy that you’re graduating after all of your hard work.”
Marie takes a couple of steps and wrap her arms around me, rocking side to side.
“Yes, I’m so happy, and I can’t wait to start writing about the stories that are happening around us,” I say, pushing out of her arms.
“Well hell, let’s get gone. We don’t want to be late,” Marie says, sliding her cell into her small crossbody red purse.
I follow her out of my room, down the hall, and into the living room. We have a love seat, a TV, and a coffee table. That’s all that fits, and the kitchen is small, with the very basics.
“I’m so glad that you and Kitty are going to be at the commencement.”
“Coldette, of course, we’re family.
We walk out of the apartment down the walkway to the car. Marie is driving her older white Honda civic.
I get into the passenger seat, turning to grab the seatbelt, pulling the seat belt to insert into the lock, then I clasp my hands to keep them from shaking.
“I’m so excited; I can’t control my nerves.”
“Fuck, that’s a first Coldette. You’re always so uptight and aloof.”
“Hell, this is so important to me, and I can’t help but feel excited,” I huff, biting my lower lip.
Marie glances at me, smiles, nodding and look back at the road.
“I bet it is exciting,” Marie says, merging onto the freeway.
Marie and Kitty are dental assistants; they took classes to get their certificates.
In time, we get there; I walk to the back to get into my spot.
Marie looks for Kitty, and I talk to a few classmates around me.
The commencement is like a dream; it was over so darn fast. I can’t believe it; I did it.
Yeah me.
I walk out of the building, looking around the building grounds looking at the family and friends hugging the graduate. I can’t help but feel a little jealous and sad for a moment.
I don’t know anything about my parents. I don’t know if they gave me up, if they’re alive, or why I was in the foster system.
Hell, I don’t need to think about that.
I’m good.
I close my eyes, shake my head, then I lean against the tree, looking around.
I’m standing at the steps looking for my friends, my only friends.
Yeah, it’s not like I have anyone, but it’s all good because I learned a long time ago that I need to take care of myself and forge my life.
I know that I have the tools to shape my life into what I want, to work in the job that I’ve worked so hard to get my degree in journalism.
I’m going to look for a job to move up to being the news reporter on the station.
