Scars of the Present Read Online Free PDF

hand. “Stop! Let me take a picture of you three!”
    We stopped and posed for what felt like a thousand pictures and the three of us laughed every time Linda promised, “Just one more!”
    We took pictures in pretty much any way you could imagine and finally Linda said, “Okay, just one more with Sydney and her parents!”
    My mom and dad didn’t move so I went to them, standing between both of them. Dad put his hand on my shoulder, but my mom stayed as still as a statue. I forced a smile on my face and sighed in relief when Linda said it was done. I turned to face my parents and neither of them smiled.
    I looked a lot like my mother before all of the botox and liposuction. After all of her work, the only thing we had in common was our height. She had her blonde hair pulled into a tight bun on top of her head and was wearing a floral dress with sensible heals. Her face, which already looked like it was stuck in a permanent frown, showed disapproval when she took in my outfit.
    “You’re dressed like a child, Sydney. I wish you’d stop cutting your hair.”
    I ignored her and plastered a fake smile on my face. Her tone of voice sounded almost bored and I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Hello dad, mom.”
    My dad was much taller than both of us and what was left of his bright blonde hair had gone gray on top of his head. Although he didn’t give me a real smile, I could tell that one was playing on his lips as he looked back at me.
    “Congratulations, Sydney. We are very proud of you.”
    I shrugged uncomfortably and gave him a small smile. “Thanks dad. Are you going to come to the celebration at Linda’s house later?”
    My dad shook his head quickly. “We can’t make it; I have a dinner with the mayor tonight.”
    A normal girl probably would have been sad at that news, but I almost sighed in relief.
    “I understand. I’m glad you were able to come to this.”
    Dad leaned forward and gave me a stiff hug, releasing me quickly. “I really am proud of you, Sydney.”
    He didn’t say anything else, but turned to leave and mom followed dutifully. I watched them walk away and just sighed. That had been the most affection he’d shown in years.
    I returned to the rest of my group and Linda immediately pulled me into her arms. Her embrace was so fierce and so genuine that I almost wanted to cry.
    When we pulled away she gave me a kiss on the forehead and smiled at me. “I am so proud of you, Sydney Rae. You have grown into an amazing young woman.”
    I blushed and thanked her before giving the mandatory hugs to the rest of the family. Matt gave me a tight hug as well, being the big brother I never had. When it was Sean’s turn, the hug was awkward and he pulled away without saying anything to me.
    As we walked back to the truck annoyance filled me. I had told Sean what this was from the get go. How could he be mad at me for sticking to my word?
    –––
    Linda Thomas had treated me like her daughter from day one. Maddie took me home a few days after the locker room incident and I had immediately been hugged and fed by Linda, and then grouped into the constant teasing incurred by Matt. The Thomas house always felt like home.
    She had gone all out for the graduation party and decorations hung everywhere, including a big banner in the backyard that said ‘Congrats to all of our girls!’ The food was laid out on the table in the backyard, and everyone stood around conversing while eating. The yard was packed full of some family, but mainly friends that we’d accumulated over the years.
    I stood talking to one of our classmates, Aaron and his boyfriend Ricky when Sean walked up and tapped my shoulder.
    “Can I talk to you really quick?”
    I smiled at the boys and excused myself before following Sean into the house. He didn’t stop inside the kitchen and continued on until we were standing in the guest bedroom upstairs.
    He turned to face me and his expression locked into a neutral mask.
    “What’s