by Kelly Risser
"Quinn, Meara.”
I stood as my name was called, moving forward in the sea of students. I couldn’t see my family, but I knew they were out there. My dad sat with my grandparents. They hadn’t quite forgiven him for leaving Mom’s funeral, but they weren’t being rude either. At least he shaved and cleaned himself up. They would have had a conniption if they saw him a week ago. I searched the crowd and found Evan sitting with his parents. He waved.
My face grew hot as I thought of the previous day. We’d spent it together. It had been wonderful and bittersweet. It was a day I’d never forget.
Evan whistled as I crossed the stage. I accepted my diploma, shook hands with the principal, and smiled at the photographer. My moment was over, and I crossed to the other side where I could descend the steps back to my seat. That’s it, I thought. One chapter closed, and another about to begin.
My grandparents and David found me after the ceremony, standing with Katie, Jen, and Val. We were thrilled, riding the high of our symbolic entry into adulthood.
Evan and his parents came up next. Evan had a camera and took several pictures of all of us, and more of just me. I smiled brilliantly. I wanted to leave him with nothing but happy images.
“Ready?” Dad placed his hand on the small of my back. For a moment, I panicked. His eyebrow shot up. “For dinner, Meara.”
“Of course.” I gave him a shaky smile. Maybe I was a little nervous. I hugged Evan and kissed his cheek. “See you there?”
“We’ll be right behind you.”
We headed into downtown Halifax. Katie and I agreed that we couldn’t possibly go anywhere else but our favorite Italian restaurant. I had looked forward to this all week. Who knew when I would eat garlic bread and tiramisu again?
The Mitchells arrived when we did, and the hostess ushered us to a long table in the back. I sat next to Evan, and he held my hand under the table. This last week, we found ourselves touching as much as possible. I smiled at him to keep things light. He returned the smile, though his eyes were sad.
The atmosphere around the rest of the table, however, was one of celebration. Evan and I were not allowed to sulk. Katie chatted about her upcoming trip to Cancun and her plans for the fall. She decided to study Journalism.
“Meara, you’re rather quiet,” Lydia observed, turning everyone’s attention to me. “What about you? What are your plans for the fall?”
“I’m going to take a little time off.” I met Grandma’s eye, and she gave me a shaky smile. I’d announced my plans to my grandparents the week before. They weren’t happy about me leaving, but they were supportive. “I’m moving to Scotland with my dad for a while.”
“Oh…” Lydia looked nervously at my father. He gave her a charming smile.
“I discussed it with Sharon naturally,” he said to the table at large. “She felt it was important for Meara to meet her relatives on my side of the family.”
“What’s Scotland like?” Katie’s blue eyes were wide and innocent. She pretended to be interested, but I knew she was just digging for information. She wasn’t going to get much. Even Kim got modified information when I called her earlier this week. She was happy for me and jealous that I was going to Europe before she could. If only she knew.
“Beautiful,” David said. “My family comes from the northern end of Scotland. The winters can be harsh, but the rest of the year, it is a lush green.”
“Do you have a large family?” Grandma asked.
“I do.” David nodded. “Two sisters and four brothers.”
“Of course. Your sisters were at the wedding, but not your brothers?” She phrased it like a question. My grandma seemed surprised to learn he had such a large family.
“My brothers were unable to travel.”
“And your parents?” Grandma persisted.
“They are gone.” My dad was back to his abridged answers. I knew about his mom, but not his dad. If Selkies lived so long, I wondered what happened to them.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Grandma murmured. Thankfully, the food arrived, and the topic was dropped while we were served. Smaller conversations broke out around the table, and I busied myself eating. No one would question me if I had a mouthful of food.
After dinner, Lydia and Darren invited us back to the Inn for coffee and dessert. I thought it was rude to decline, but I didn’t want to go. There were only so many hours left in the day, and I wanted time alone with Evan. He squeezed my hand under the table. When I looked at him, he mouthed, “We’ll get away.” Then, he winked at me. I felt better. If anyone could maneuver his way out of a situation with parents and guardians, politely and without raising any questions, it was Evan.
We had the whole evening together. It wasn’t like I needed to pack. My dad laughed when I asked him. “No, Meara. What are you going to do? Push your suitcase across the ocean with your nose?” More kindly, he explained that material items weren’t necessary for Selkies. Whatever I needed, I would be able to get once we were on the island.
“But what if I want to bring things with me?” I thought of my mom’s picture, my necklace from Evan, and my charm bracelet.
“Put together what you must have,” he relented. “I will make sure it arrives safely.” Yesterday, I’d gathered those few items into a small box and given it to him. Leaving most of my possessions was freeing and nerve-wracking at the same time. I was trying to wrap my mind around it. At least I could bring the things that mattered most.