Then Aaron showed him the dress.
By the next day, Ben stopped answering his messages.
When I asked Aaron about it, he shrugged.
“He doesn’t want to be part of it.”
“Doesn’t that hurt?”
“Of course it hurts.”
He looked away.
“But it doesn’t change what I’m doing.”
The school learned about Aaron’s plan on graduation morning.
I still don’t know who told them.
At 9:10 a.m., my phone rang.
The assistant principal introduced herself and carefully said,
“We understand Aaron intends to wear something unconventional to today’s ceremony.”
“He does.”
“We’re not trying to interfere with his personal expression.”
I already knew there was a “but” coming.
“But?”
“We simply want the day to remain focused on the graduating class. We can offer Aaron a more appropriate option.”
I looked across the kitchen.
Aaron stood beside the staircase.
He could hear everything.
“What kind of option?”
“We have an extra graduation outfit available.”
“He already has clothes.”
A pause followed.
“We’re trying to prevent a difficult situation.”
Aaron reached for the phone.
I handed it to him.
He listened quietly.
Then he said,
“Thank you, but I’m wearing the dress.”
Another pause.
“No. I understand.”
He ended the call.
I stared at him.
“You can still change your mind.”
He picked up the garment bag.
“I won’t.”
Then he added,
“I already sent them Mary’s graduation photo. I asked them to put it on the screen when I give the signal.”
“Does the school know why?”
