Undeserved Devotion

“Come on Bear, today is supposed to be a day of celebration.” Chris tried to encourage Claire, but seeing her like this was breaking his heart. Claire still had her head in her hands, fighting back the tears. “I know, it’s just not the same without her.” “Monica will always be in our hearts, but she would be proud of you and want you to celebrate your college graduation.” Claire finally looks up at Chris, her eyes still pooling with tears. After a long pause, she sighs and gives Chris a small smile, “You’re right, let’s do this.” Chris hugs her and they head off to graduation. ----- Claire was in her seat waiting for her row to be called up for her to receive her diploma. Her heart was racing in anticipation for what she had planned after graduation. She was grateful that Chris was several rows ahead of her and couldn’t actually see or touch her right now. Finally it was her turn, and she catches Chris’s eye as she’s about to climb the stage stairs. She tried to return the huge smile he had on his face, but couldn’t. Chris saw the look in her eyes and knew something was very very wrong. Claire received her diploma, shook the Dean’s hand, moved her tassel to the other side, and practically ran the rest of the way down the steps and up the aisle to her seat. Only, she didn’t stop at her assigned row. She kept going to the exit and could barely keep herself from crumbling into the fetal position. She met up with her mother at the other side of the exit. She melted into her mother’s warm embrace and cried. “Honey, are you sure you want to do this?” Mom asked as she gently pushed her away so she could see Claire’s face. Claire nodded “It’s best this way.” ---- The movers were already at the apartment when Claire and her mother, Joan, arrived back at Claire’s apartment, and Claire was grateful that her and Chris were already planning to move after graduation, so packing her things wasn’t suspicious. Claire immediately began telling the guys which boxes to take as she knew she only had a limited amount of time before Chris came home. In just under an hour, all of her things were in a moving truck back to her mother’s house. Joan was waiting in the car, while Claire left her key and a letter for Chris. She knew this was a cowardly way to end things and leave, but she also knew she didn’t have the strength to do it any other way.