Sudden a little sadness seeped into her spirit at the absence of Jayden's father. She knew that sending him a ticket had been a long-shot, but still she had to try. She knew that wishing, hoping and praying that he would attend his son's graduation were too much to ask for from the beginning. She swallowed the small lump in her throat and returned her focus back to the occasion. It would have been nice too had some of her family members had shown up too. Apparently everyone was too busy to take time out to support their grandson, nephew or cousin. It was alright, Jayden was as her Aunt Shirley had told her, 'your child'; and she would take the full responsibility in supporting him. Abruptly her lens was filled with another small child and the hand of an adult as one of his friends and parent had joined him.
"Daddy… daddy this is my friend Jayden… You know the one that I was telling you about." The small boy introduced. Marla brought the camera down from face.
"Jayden… Jayden this is my daddy…" The little boy proudly announced as his father kneeled down on one knee to match the children's level.
"Well please to meet you Jayden… You can call me Mr. Thomas." The man said in a pleasant voice as he offered his hand out to Jayden.
"Daddy, can he come? Huh-huh? Can he come with us?" The little boy asked excitedly.
"I don't know son. His parents may have already made plans…" The father offered.
"Hi I'm Marla Townsend Jayden's mother…" Marla said walking up and introducing herself to the group. The two adults shook hands.
"Can he come? Can he come, Mrs. Townsend?" The little boy began begging her. Marla looked down with a broad smile as she patted the little boy on the top of his head.
"I don't know Bryant, where are you all going?" She asked the little boy but looked at his father for the answer.
"I was going to take Bryant and a couple of his friends out for a graduation celebration at McDonalds' Playhouse, do you mind?"
Before Marla could respond Bryant interrupted.
"Jayden, where's your dad? Did he come? Did he come? I thought you said he was coming this time for sure…" The little boy inquired. Marla cringed. Hearing the little boy's words she wanted to die right there on the spot as his words pierced her heart. Why did Jayden have to see her mailing off that ticket to his father three weeks ago? Why hadn't she thought to lie to her son rather than getting his hopes up like this, only to be disappointed and humiliated in front of his friend. Marla fought back her own pain and looked at her son. She could see that at his friend's inquiry he was not only embarrassed but hurt by his father's absence.