Elizabeth Howard,
US
Graduation
Oma
Lee, my sister, was pretty
as Hedy Lamar in that white dress.
My heart leapt when the principal
called her name. I waved at her,
but she didn’t look.
After the ceremony, she came to say
the Crosses were having a party
for Kathleen, valedictorian. “Mr.
Cross will drive me home,” she said.
Mama and Papa let her go.
The Crosses were good people.
They would take care of her.
Who knew the world could change
in a few hours? That there was no
party, that Oma Lee was running
away with a married man accused
of cheating clients in real estate deals.
That she would be lost to us forever.
