“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?”

“About Mary, yes. About the dress, no.”

By the time we reached the auditorium, I could barely breathe.

People noticed Aaron immediately.

Students stared.

A few laughed.

One mother looked at him, whispered something to the woman beside her, and both turned toward us.

Aaron stood with his graduating class as if none of it bothered him.