68: GRADUATION

I stand near the school gates, tapping my foot. My black heels sink a little into the damp earth with each movement, causing me to stumble slightly here and there. I keep my gaze on the gate with rapt attention and laser focus, impatiently waiting.

I glance down at my phone. No calls, just a message from Bibah telling me to get back to the hall, that graduation is now in full swing. I dial my mom’s number.

I look back to the gates again, chewing my bottom lip. My mother is running thirty minutes late. But that isn’t all. She always, always answers her phone, but this is the twelfth time I’ve called, each going to voicemail.

I wait for the beep as the call goes to her answering machine. Her voice floods my ears for the twelfth time, mechanical and formal.

*Camille here, leave a message.*

“Mom, where are you?! It’s starting already. Call me back as soon as you get this, please.” I say, then sigh and end the call, hoping she’s just in a place that had little or no service.

I tuck the pho