«As always—perfect,» she smiled, looking at him with pride. «Just don’t get conceited.»
«I’m not getting conceited, I’m stating a fact,» he winked. «By the way, Leo Harris called again. Why did you refuse? He’s a good person, and you clearly like him.»
Leo Harris—their neighbor, an intelligent professor—had been timidly courting Mary for a long time.
«I have a more important event today,» she waved off. «My son is getting his diploma. Let’s go, or we’ll be late.»
The auditorium was packed. In the front rows sat parents, teachers, as well as representatives of large companies—»talent hunters.» Mary sat in the fifth row, her heart pounding with pride.
And suddenly her gaze froze. In the presidium, among the invited employers, she recognized Andrew. He had aged, rounded out, but the smug smirk remained the same. Her heart skipped a beat for a moment—but then beat evenly. There was no fear. Only cold, almost scientific curiosity.
One of the leaders took the floor for a greeting. Andrew stepped confidently onto the stage—owner of a thriving financial company. He spoke at length, pompously, painting a brilliant future in his firm, promising young specialists career, money, prestige.
«We seek only the best!» he proclaimed. «And we’re ready to open all doors before you!»
Finally, the best graduate was invited to the stage—Sam Johnson. He ascended the podium, confident, calm, and surveyed the hall with a clear gaze. Silence hung in the air.
«Dear teachers, friends, guests,» he began clearly and evenly. «Today is an important day for us. We are entering a new life. And I want to tell one story. About how I ended up here. Once I was a homeless boy living on the street.»
A light whisper ran through the hall. Mary held her breath. She didn’t know what he was going to say.
Sam continued, and steel appeared in his voice. He told how one day, dirty and hungry, he was picked up by a woman whom on that same day her husband kicked out of the house—without money, without work, without a future. He didn’t name names, but his gaze was fixed on one point—on the paling Andrew…
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