Breanne nodded, shook the committee members' hands again and retrieved her flash drive. A paper copy of her dissertation, with photos, was working its way through a publisher and would be released in a few months. At the moment, she felt overwhelmed. I earned my Ph.D. The committee called me Dr. Smith, and for the rest of my life, that title will be mine.
Outside in the hallway, the momentousness of her accomplishment hit her, and she swayed. Black spots swam in her vision. Nick, of course, wrapped an arm around her waist to hold her upright. She leaned on him.
“Are you all right, chérie?”
“Not really. I think I had better sit down.”
Nick walked her slowly to an orange plastic chair and helped her into it. She lowered her head between her knees for a moment while he stroked her back. T
