She didn’t know about the USB drive. She only knew I was going to call her up to coat me.

I gave her a tiny nod. She pressed her hand to her heart.

“And now,” the Dean boomed, “it is my profound honor to introduce this year’s valedictorian — a student whose brilliance in the classroom is matched only by her resilience in life. Please welcome to the stage, Dr. Emily Higgins.”

The applause thundered. I stood, not looking at Thomas, though I could see him rising to clap hard, making sure the cameras caught his “proud father” moment.

I climbed the wooden stairs. The stage lights were blinding and hot.

I stepped to the acrylic podium, adjusted the microphone, laid my speech on the stand, and the room went so quiet you could hear a pin drop.