Two Thousand Miles Away

On the day of our college graduation photos, my parents stood behind the camera, happily taking picture after picture of my girlfriend, Stella Daniels, and my best friend, Roman Hopkins. In every shot, the two of them stood shoulder to shoulder while my parents looked on with proud smiles. But I was their son. I was the one who'd spent four years as Stella's boyfriend. Dressed in my graduation gown, I stood alone in the corner, waiting... My mother never called me over even once. After the photos were done, Roman admitted he still hadn't found a job. Stella immediately forgot all about me. She walked over to him, her voice so gentle it practically melted. "Roman, why don't you come work at the company I'm joining? We'll be close to each other, and I can look after you." My father nodded in agreement. "Send me your resume. I'll see what I can do. Your first job is too important to settle for less." Then my sister, Peyton Fisher, walked over carrying a bottle of iced water. She handed it to Roman herself. "Don't worry, Roman. My company is hiring too. I'll put in a referral for you. You don't have to face the interviews alone."