At himself.
At the whole world.
Eventually, some of that anger turned toward Aaron.
So when Aaron told us what he intended to wear, Dean reacted exactly as I feared.
“Absolutely not.”
Aaron stood in the living room holding the dress against his chest.
“It’s my graduation.”
“Then dress like you’re graduating.”
“I am.”
Dean stared at him.
“What are you trying to prove?”
“Nothing.”
“Then don’t turn the ceremony into a spectacle.”
Aaron’s face tightened.
“This isn’t about you.”
Dean stood.
“And it shouldn’t be about your sister either.”
Aaron visibly recoiled.
Dean saw it.
But he didn’t take the words back.
He pointed toward the dress.
“I’m not sitting there while people laugh at my son.”
Aaron answered quietly,
“Then don’t come.”
Dean’s expression changed.
For one terrible second, I hoped he would apologize.
Instead, he grabbed his keys.
“Fine.”
He did not attend graduation.
Aaron’s closest friend, Ben, didn’t handle it much better.
At first, Ben thought Aaron was joking.
