After receiving his diploma, Aaron walked directly toward her. From the dress pocket, he pulled out a small tissue-wrapped bundle. Inside was the pressed yellow daisy Mary had picked outside the hospital and a handwritten letter she had given Aaron shortly before she died.
Mary had known she probably would not live long enough to graduate. In the letter, she asked Aaron not to leave her red dress forgotten in a closet. She wanted their mother to understand that although one chair might be empty at graduation, both of her children had still made it there.
Suddenly, the laughter disappeared. Phones lowered, and the auditorium became silent. Aaron had endured the embarrassment because keeping his sister’s promise mattered more to him than protecting himself from ridicule.
Then his old friend Ben appeared and apologized. Aaron simply looked at him and said, “You didn’t ask.” Even the principal approached and apologized.
