Chapter 77

The first day of school, when Nadine helped her pick up her spilled backpack's content from the floor in front of her locker. And that same day, in Sociology class, when they smiled at each other just before Nadine agreed to be her partner for the class project. Eating strawberry ice cream at the ice cream stand after not being able to see the movie. Walking through the woods for the first time together. The time Nadine gave her the pudding cup during their first lunch together in the school cafeteria. Getting her copy of "Jane Eyre" at Christmas from Nadine. The night of her makeover. Looking in the mirror before heading off to the school prom. And later that evening, at their prom in the Martin's backyard, watching Nadine dancing with Eddie. Between each of these memories, Adele hears a single skyrocket burst in her mind; with her smile growing a little with each one. And eventually, a humongous smile expands across Adele's face while tears slowly trickle from her shut eyes; as she hears a cavalcade of fireworks exploding in her mind. Estelle looks over to check on Adele and sees this. Knowing her granddaughter the way that she does, Estelle instantly realizes what's happening and smiles; as she thinks to herself… "That's right, Suga'bear…you go on. Go on remembering Nadine." When the service ends…before her casket is lowered into its grave…Adele adorns the top of Nadine's coffin with freshly picked wild flowers that she had gathered from the woods earlier this morning. They're the same type of wild flowers that Adele used to drop off for Nadine at the Nurse's station back when she was in the hospital when they were seven. And they'll be the same type of wild flowers Adele will be bringing to Nadine's grave for as long as she's physically able to. And when she no longer can, they'll be the same type of wild flowers that Adele will see to that her children…and her children's children…will continue placing upon Nadine's grave. The Monday following the funeral, Mr. Trudeaux's sitting behind his desk grading papers, when Adele quietly enters. Upon hearing approaching footsteps, he looks up and notices her. "Why, hello there, Ms. Wilson; how are you doing?" She shrugs her shoulders slightly, then softly answers, "Okay…I guess." "That's good to hear." He looks at her while she stands there remaining quiet. After a short period of silence, he inquires… "Is there something I can do for you, Adele?" She hesitantly informs him, "I…I just came by to say goodbye, Mr. Trudeaux." He leans back in his chair and folds his arms across his chest. "Say goodbye, Ms. Wilson?" "Yes, sir, Mr. Trudeaux…I won't be coming to your class no more…or Mrs. Newman's." "And may I ask why not?" Adele takes a brief moment before answering, "Because Nadine's dead, Mr. Trudeaux…so I suppose I shouldn't be staying in your classes. She got me in real classes to be with her; and now that she's gone…well; there ain't no reason for me to be in them anymore." "I see." He gets up, walks around to the front of the desk and sits on it. "First of all, Ms. Wilson…if you recall…I was the one who selected you to be in my class…not Nadine." Adele thinks a little before pointing out, "Yeah…but that was so I could help you with your class project…which was to be friends with Nadine. And now she's…" A melancholic expression overtakes her countenance; and she becomes quiet for a brief moment before somberly telling him, "I can't finish the project, Mr. Trudeaux…she's not here anymore." Mr. Trudeaux tells her, "Oh; but you have finished the project, Ms. Wilson. Would you care to know your grade?" Adele looks down to the floor, then back up at Mr. Trudeaux and nods. He informs her, "You received an A, Ms. Wilson." Adele instantly appears stunned; displaying a fully agape mouth as she slightly stammers, "An…an A? I…I never got an A before." "Well; you got one now." "But how?" Mr. Trudeaux stands and moves in closer to Adele. "Ms. Wilson…the assignment was to be friends with a classmate. You received an A…not just because you were Nadine's friend…but you, Ms. Wilson, were a true friend. Do you know the difference… between just being a friend…and being a true friend, Ms. Wilson?"