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<\/p>\nWhen it comes to his grandmother\u2019s position at his high school, Lucas has always kept his head down and his heart safe. On prom night, however, he must make a decision about what is important and who should be seen.<\/p>\n
When I was three days old, I moved in with Grandma Doris. Lina, my mother, passed away shortly after giving birth to me. Gran informed me that she had once held me, but I\u2019ve never met her.<\/p>\n
Gran would remark, \u201cShe did, Lucas,\u201d<\/p>\n
Before her blood pressure plummeted, your mother held you for three minutes. You\u2019ll remember those three minutes forever, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n
What about my dad? Well, he didn\u2019t appear. Not even for one birthday, not once.<\/p>\n
When I was three days old, I moved in with Grandma Doris.<\/p>\n
When Grandma Doris took me in, she was fifty-two years old. Since then, she has been making the fluffiest pancakes every Saturday morning while working nights as a janitor at the high school. She performed all the voices while reading used novels in an armchair with stuffing sticking out of the seams, making the world seem expansive and feasible.<\/p>\n
She never gave the impression that I was a burden.<\/p>\n
Not when I woke her up screaming from nightmares.<\/p>\n
She never gave the impression that I was a burden.<\/p>\n
Not when I used her sewing scissors to trim my own hair, which made my ears appear much larger. Especially not when I outgrew my shoes more quickly than her salary could cover.<\/p>\n
She was more than simply a grandmother to me. She lived in a village with just one woman.<\/p>\n
I believe this is the reason I never told her about the remarks made at school, particularly after they discovered that my grandma was the janitor<\/p>\n
She lived in a village with just one woman.<\/p>\n
With wrinkled noses, the guys would caution, \u201cBe careful, Lucas smells like bleach.\u201d<\/p>\n
When they called me \u201cMop Boy\u201d because they thought I couldn\u2019t hear, I didn\u2019t inform Gran.<\/p>\n
And how I discovered a letter pinned to my locker along with a splash of milk or orange juice:<\/p>\n
\u201cHope you got your bucket, Mop Boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gran didn\u2019t tell me if she was aware of it. And I did everything I could to keep her away from the bullshit.<\/p>\n
\u201cHope you got your bucket, Mop Boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The idea that she would be embarrassed by her work? The one thing I couldn\u2019t stand was that.<\/p>\n
So I grinned. I pretended it didn\u2019t exist. When she removed her boots\u2014the ones with the damaged soles and my initials etched into the rubber\u2014I went home and cleaned the dishes.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re a good boy, Lucas,\u201d she remarked. \u201cYou take good care of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you taught me that this is the only way to be, Gran,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
The idea that she would be embarrassed by her work?<\/p>\n
I purposefully made her giggle while we ate together in our tiny kitchen. I felt safe there.<\/p>\n
However, if I claimed that the remarks didn\u2019t affect me, I would be lying. Or that, in order to start over, I wasn\u2019t counting down the days until graduation.<\/p>\n
Sasha was the only thing that made going to school tolerable.<\/p>\n
However, if I claimed that the remarks didn\u2019t affect me, I would be lying.<\/p>\n
She had intelligence, self-assurance, and a dry, sardonic sense of humor. People didn\u2019t know she spent weekends helping her mom around the house and balancing tip money in a yellow notepad, but they believed she was just attractive, and she was, in that manner that it didn\u2019t look like she tried.<\/p>\n
Her mother was a nurse who sometimes skipped meals and worked extra shifts. They used the bus most of the time because they only had one faulty car.<\/p>\n
Sasha laughed without smiling, \u201cShe says cafeteria muffins are better than hospital vending machines,\u201d she had stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich should tell you something about the vending machines.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her mother was a nurse who sometimes skipped meals and worked extra shifts.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s probably the reason Sasha and I clicked. We had experienced living on the periphery of other people\u2019s privilege.<\/p>\n
Once, when we were in line in the lunch, she got to meet Grandma Doris.<\/p>\n
She pointed to Gran, who was carrying a big tray of tiny milk cartons and had her mop leaning against the wall behind her. \u201cThat\u2019s your gran?\u201d she questioned.<\/p>\n
We were familiar with what it was like to live near<\/p>\n
the limits of the privilege of others.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that\u2019s her,\u201d I said with a nod. \u201cI\u2019ll introduce you when we get closer to her now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe looks like the kind of person who gives second helpings even when you\u2019re full,\u201d Sasha added with a grin.<\/p>\n
Saying, \u201cOh, she\u2019s worse,\u201d \u201cShe\u2019ll bake you a pie for no reason.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love her already,\u201d Sasha said with a smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that\u2019s her,\u201d I said with a nod.<\/p>\n
Prom arrived sooner than anticipated. People were talking about expensive corsages, spray tans, and limousines. I tried to steer clear of the subject.<\/p>\n
By then, Sasha and I were spending more time together. Before she came up to me outside one day after class, everyone assumed we were going together, and I believe she did as well.<\/p>\n
She swung her purple knapsack over one shoulder and said, \u201cSo, Luc,\u201d \u201cWho are you bringing to prom?\u201d<\/p>\n
I tried to steer clear of the subject.<\/p>\n
I bit my lip in hesitation.<\/p>\n
Simply put, \u201cI\u2019ve got someone in mind,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
With her eyes raised, she questioned, \u201cSomeone I know?\u201d<\/p>\n
I answered, \u201cYeah, I guess so,\u201d with caution. \u201cShe\u2019s important to me, Sasha.\u201d<\/p>\n
With her eyes raised, she questioned, \u201cSomeone I know?\u201d<\/p>\n
I was aware of my cagey behavior. I was aware that I had just caused harm to one of the most important persons in my life. But this was crucial to me, as I had mentioned to Sasha.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right. Good for you, then,\u201d Sasha remarked. Her mouth curled into a query and a smile at the same time.<\/p>\n
What comes next? Sasha didn\u2019t mention prom once again.<\/p>\n
I was aware of my cagey behavior.<\/p>\n
Gran was standing in her bathroom on prom night, displaying the flowery dress she had worn to my cousin\u2019s wedding the previous time.<\/p>\n
Murmuring, \u201cI don\u2019t know, sweetheart,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m not sure this even fits right anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look beautiful, Gran,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean I\u2019ll be standing off to the side? I don\u2019t want to make you look foolish. \u201cLucas, I can just stay at home,\u201d she remarked. \u201cTo ensure that prom would go smoothly, the school hired three cleaners for the evening. Here, in front of the couch, is where I can spend my night off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to make you look bad.<\/p>\n
Lucas, I can just stay at home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGran, you won\u2019t make me feel ashamed. I swear. This is the last school function I will ever attend, aside from graduation. I want you to be present.<\/p>\n
Gran peered into the mirror at me. I was aware of her reluctance to attend prom. However, this was\u2026 I had to have her there.<\/p>\n
I straightened the neck of her cardigan and assisted her with her earrings, which were little silver leaves that mom had worn for every special occasion since I was seven.<\/p>\n
I had to have her there.<\/p>\n
She appeared anxious, as though she were a guest at a celebration to which she had not been properly invited.<\/p>\n
I murmured, \u201cBreathe, Gran,\u201d while she adjusted my tie. \u201cThis is going to be great.\u201d<\/p>\n
The gym underwent a transformation. The ceiling was adorned with loops of white string lights. There were improvised picture booths with props and goofy paper awards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to be great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sasha was awarded \u201cMost Likely to Publish a Banned Book,\u201d while I earned \u201cMost Likely to Fix Your Car and Your Heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
She chuckled, but I rolled my eyes. I could hear my granny laughing warmly even from the back.<\/p>\n
The lights went down and the music began to play after the final prize was presented. The dance floor swiftly filled as couples began to form.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo\u2026 where\u2019s your date?\u201d Sasha turned to face me.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost Likely to Fix Your Car and Your Heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
I said, \u201cShe\u2019s here,\u201d and after looking around the room, I saw Gran standing close to the refreshment table.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou brought your gran?\u201d Sasha inquired in a gentle, inquisitive, and nonjudgmental tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cSasha, I told you. She is significant.<\/p>\n
After then, I moved across the floor and came to a stop in front of Grandma Doris.<\/p>\n
Sasha inquired, \u201cYou brought your gran?\u201d<\/p>\n
I said, \u201cWould you dance with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
With her palm shooting to her chest, she started, \u201cOh, Lucas\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust one dance, Gran.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if I remember how, sweetheart,\u201d she hesitantly remarked.<\/p>\n
Saying, \u201cWe\u2019ll figure it out,\u201d I shuffled my feet.<\/p>\n
I said, \u201cWould you dance with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
For a brief time, it seemed ideal as we stepped out onto the floor. That is, until the laughter began.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot at all! He took the janitor out on a date.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s\u2026 gross.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLucas is pitiful! What on earth?<\/p>\n
The music was overpowered by the laughter of someone next to the food table. A few heads turned toward us, and I could hear sneakers slipping on the gym floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot at all!<\/p>\n
He took the janitor out on a date.<\/p>\n
Another voice yelled, \u201cDon\u2019t you have a girl your age?\u201d \u201cThis is seriously messed up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s actually dancing with the janitor!\u201d<\/p>\n
Grandma Doris was tight next to me. Her hand, which had been warm in mine moments before, became motionless. Before she could stop them, the corners of her smile began to pull downward. I could feel the distance between us change as she took a tiny step back.<\/p>\n
Another voice yelled, \u201cDon\u2019t you have a girl your age?\u201d<\/p>\n
Softly, \u201cSweetheart,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s okay. I\u2019m going home. All of this is unnecessary. You must have fun tonight.<\/p>\n
She looked at me tenderly and apologetically, like if she had done something wrong.<\/p>\n
Something locked into place inside of me. It was a sort of clarity I didn\u2019t realize I had until that moment, not really rage.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I replied. \u201cPlease don\u2019t go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of this is unnecessary. You must have fun tonight.<\/p>\n
I surveyed the gym. It felt like every table, every nook, and every glistening string light was closing in. People had given up dancing. A few were muttering. Sasha\u2019s expression was unreadable as she stood by the wall and observed us.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou once said that you brought me up to understand what\u2019s important. \u201cWell, this is important,\u201d I responded, going back to Grandma.<\/p>\n
Her mouth parted slightly as she blinked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be right back,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
People had given up dancing.<\/p>\n
After that, I moved across the floor, swerving between couples before heading directly to the DJ booth. Our arithmetic teacher, Mr. Freeman, who is now a part-time DJ, appeared taken aback when I walked up to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cLucas? Is there a problem?<\/p>\n
\u201cI need the mic,\u201d I responded, giving one nod.<\/p>\n
I moved between couples as I crossed the floor.<\/p>\n
After a brief moment of hesitation, he gave it to me. The music was turned off by me. It was as if someone had forcibly removed the sound from the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore anyone laughs or pokes fun again\u2026 let me tell you who this woman is,\u201d I added, inhaling deeply.<\/p>\n
Gran was still standing by herself with her arms hanging loosely at her sides as I turned to face her.<\/p>\n
There was silence in the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Doris, my grandmother. When no one else would, she reared me. In order to provide you with clean seats, she cleaned your classrooms at the break of day. She put an extra effort to tidy the locker rooms so you could take a shower in hygienic cubicles. I\u2019ve never met someone as strong as her.<\/p>\n
I could hear the ceiling fan spinning in the silence.<\/p>\n
Anthony\u2019s face was flushed when I caught him in the corner. Two years ago, Gran discovered him intoxicated in the locker room; someone had brought a bottle of something into school illegally. She got him home safely, helped him clean up, and didn\u2019t say a word.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe raised me when no one else would.\u201d<\/p>\n
His father served on the board of the school.<\/p>\n
I allowed the quiet to descend.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if you think dancing with her makes me pathetic,\u201d I thought to myself, \u201cthen I truly feel sorry for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
My grandmother\u2019s eyes were full when I turned to face her again.<\/p>\n
I allowed the quiet to descend.<\/p>\n
I approached and extended my hand once more.<\/p>\n
\u201cGran,\u201d I said. \u201cMay I have this dance?\u201d<\/p>\n
She remained motionless for a moment.<\/p>\n
She then gave a nod.<\/p>\n
She touched me with her hand.<\/p>\n
She remained motionless for a moment.<\/p>\n
Only one person clapped at first. Then another. The music then abruptly spread like a wave throughout the room. There was no longer any laughter. Applause was all that was left.<\/p>\n
Gran used her free hand to cover her mouth as tears silently trickled down her cheeks.<\/p>\n
Everyone in the room watched us dance under the string lights with admiration rather than ridicule.<\/p>\n
There was no longer any laughter.<\/p>\n
Applause was all that was left.<\/p>\n
She was not invisible for the first time in her life.<\/p>\n
No, she wasn\u2019t \u201cthe cleaning lady.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was a person who was respected.<\/p>\n
Sasha approached me with two paper cups of punch later that evening. Grinning as she always did when she was trying to downplay something that felt significant nevertheless, she held one out.<\/p>\n
She was not invisible for the first time in her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere,\u201d she murmured. \u201cYou earned it.\u201d<\/p>\n
With our fingertips softly touching, I accepted the cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the record,\u201d she continued. \u201cI think that was the best prom date choice anyone\u2019s made all year.\u201d<\/p>\n
I said, \u201cThanks,\u201d and I really did.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou earned it.\u201d<\/p>\n
She turned to see Gran laughing with two professors by the dessert table on the other side of the room. I had never seen her sparkle like this. She wasn\u2019t attempting to fit in.<\/p>\n
like she has already done.<\/p>\n
Sasha remarked, \u201cMy mom is going to love this story.\u201d \u201cShe will undoubtedly cry. Just letting you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
I said, \u201cI cried,\u201d \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be alive if it weren\u2019t for her.\u201d<\/p>\n
like she has already done.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo did I,\u201d she answered. \u201cAnd that was before the slow song even started.\u201d<\/p>\n
She gave my arm a light shoulder bump.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know,\u201d she informed him. \u201cI really like your gran.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d I concurred. \u201cShe likes you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
She gave my arm a light shoulder bump.<\/p>\n
Sasha grinned once again.<\/p>\n
Gran discovered a folded note taped to her locker in the staff room the next Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate everything you\u2019ve done.<\/p>\n
Grandma Doris, we apologize.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Room 2B.<\/p>\n
Throughout the week, she kept it in the pocket of her cardigan.<\/p>\n
She made pancakes the following Saturday morning while wearing her floral outfit. simply because she desired to. And I was confident she would proudly walk into my impending graduation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When it comes to his grandmother\u2019s position at his high school, Lucas has always kept his head down and his heart safe. On prom night, however, he must make a decision about what is important and who should be seen. When I was three days old, I moved in with Grandma Doris. Lina, my mother, passed away shortly after giving birth to me. Gran informed me that she had once held me, but I\u2019ve never met her. Gran would remark, \u201cShe did, Lucas,\u201d Before her blood pressure plummeted, your mother…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5372,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,5,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","category-feature-post","category-featured"],"gutentor_comment":0,"yoast_head":"\n