When Simone rises with her row, she smiles at us, and my heart bangs like a screen door in a hurricane. She’s blowing this up.
Simone climbs the stairs and waits for her turn, and I hold my breath. When they announce Simone Amanda Simpson, I cheer loud and proud, clapping as her father morphs into a statue. I glance across the gym to see Julie hugging Jack, who’s blubbering. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen.
Simone crosses the stage, accepting her diploma and grinning at her fellow graduates, who cheer for her, not knowing what the fuck she did to her life.
“Mr. Rodwell, what the hell just happened?”
I try not to giggle. “Simone gave you the middle finger.”
“I hope she realizes what this means.”
“It means I can plant my seed in your daughter’s womb ASAP.” Though it won’t happen, the thought does things to me, unlike the first time it did. Fuck me.
His face reddens as he frowns at my grin. “She loses her tuition and bonus money. But I guess that’s not important to her.”
“It appears she realizes what a prick you are.”
“I cannot believe my daughter did this to me. I blame you. She would never have done this if it wasn’t for your influence.”
“Nope. She did this all herself, and I couldn’t be prouder.” I watch Simone hugging people at the foot of the stairs. She blew all this up. No more money. What will she do about school? Fuck, though. Her balls are a motherfucking turn-on.
“Are you even married?”
“Yes.” He doesn’t need to know the truth anymore.
“Why didn’t she take your last name?”
“Because I’m not an insecure asshat who needs the validation.”
“When did she do this?”
I shrug. “Today?”
“Well, she’s about to learn what she did.”
I get into his face. “You will say nothing to her. It’s her graduation day. You’ll congratulate her and get the hell out of here. She knew what was at stake, and she did it anyway. You don’t need to scold her for it. She’s a grown woman.”
He bites, “You don’t care about her. You would’ve taken the money.”
“You’re wrong about both statements. You’re the one who doesn’t give a damn about Simone. You want to control her, but she proved you can’t.”
After the graduates move their tassels over, with some throwing their hats into the air, and exit the gym, I leave but keep an eye on Dr. Evil. We get to Simone before her mother and Jack, and the look in her eye is pure joy. She runs to us and jumps into my arms, hugging me. I say, “I’m so fucking proud of you, Simpson.”
She giggles against my neck, and the sound is music to my soul.
Simone releases me, but grabs my hand as she turns to her father. “I guess I know what you’ll say. But I don’t care. You never believed in me. You doubt my life choices. Sometimes, I don’t make the right decisions, but do my best. I’ll mess up, but I hope to learn from my mistakes. Can’t you give me that?”
He nods. “Congratulations, Simone.” She hugs him, but cuts it short. “You’re on your own.”
Before she answers, I say, “She’ll never be alone.”
Simone smiles at me and squeezes my hand before telling him, “Have a safe flight.”
Dr. Pecker shakes his head before storming out of the building.