Chapter 36

Graduation was last night. We're officially done with high school. I never planned to walk, but with you not here…

Mason was sober for it, surprisingly. Waylon too from what I could tell. There was a party later that night of course, but only Waylon went. Mason and I went on a burn ride instead. Would've stayed out all night probably, blasting music with the windows down, smoking our brains out, if Mom didn't start blowing up my phone demanding where I was.

She's a mess, Iz. We're all a mess. Dad doesn't sleep. He's lost weight. I swear his hair is thinning.

And Mom… Well, if I'm home, she might as well not even be here. It's only when I leave the house that she seems to come to life. Leave the bedroom. Talk to me…

Sometimes I leave just so she'll remember I'm here.

Please come back…

I don't know how to do this without you