Scars of the Present Read Free Page B

pathway heading towards my car and met Maddie and Amanda who were sitting on the grass chatting. Amanda looked up and when she saw me she grinned, saying something to Maddie. Both of them stood and greeted me as I strolled up.
    “Your last final go okay?” Amanda asked as I linked one arm through hers and the other through Maddie’s. We walked to the car connected like that and I immediately felt nostalgic for high school.
    “Yup, it was actually really easy. How were yours?” I unlocked the car and we all settled in.
    “Mine was tedious and I’m so glad it’s done,” Maddie groaned from the backseat.
    Amanda laughed and looked back at her. “That’s because you’re such a smarty-pants. Mine was actually pretty hard, but I think I got through it okay.”
    We drove in silence for a minute and finally I sighed. “This is the last time I’ll be driving us home from school. Ever. I kind of want to cry right now.” I glanced in the rearview mirror, and Maddie looked like she really was close to tears.
    “It’s been a long year. I don’t think I’d even be graduating if it wasn’t for you guys.” Her voice was quiet from the backseat and Amanda and I exchanged looks.
    Maddie had been put through the year from hell after being sexually assaulted one night while we were all out. She spent months trying to get back to normal and when she finally did the bastard had tried, unsuccessfully, to rape her again. She’d also lost a good friend that she’d met in her support group to domestic violence and that had been another dark hole she had to crawl out of. But Maddie was tough and she always bounced back stronger than ever.
    “Yes, you would, Mad. You’re the strongest person I know.” I said, Amanda nodding in agreement, and Maddie smiled at me in the mirror.
    “Mom is throwing a graduation party for us on Saturday at her house. She says to invite anyone you want.” Maddie’s mom’s house seemed to be where we always had our gatherings.
    Linda Thomas was an extraordinary lady and the kind of mom I wish my own was. She took all of us under her wings and made us feel as if we belonged to the Thomas clan. She had been a single mom and raised Maddie and her older brother, Matt, by herself and they were two of the kindest, and most down to earth people you’d know. When she married Sean’s dad, Craig, two weeks ago, it was probably the first time I had ever seen her do anything for herself.
    “Awesome. There’s no one I want to invite, but I’ll definitely be there.” I parked the car in my usual spot at home and climbed out.
    “She, um, invited your parents, Syd.” Maddie said tentatively.
    I groaned as we climbed the stairs to our front door. “They won’t come, and they’ll probably mock it the next time I see them. They’re such assholes.”
    Amanda gave me a disapproving look as she moved to the refrigerator. 
    “Don’t say that, Sydney. They love you in their own way.”
    I didn’t respond out of respect for Amanda. I knew I shouldn’t bitch about my parents when her father was dead and her mom was so sick. I just couldn’t help it sometimes.
    Being the daughter of Harold and Diane Lewis wasn’t all people might think it’s cracked up to be. My father was the CEO of a big insurance company, having taken over for his father years ago. He had been groomed for that position and when he and my mom hadn’t had any other kids, the next person in line was me. The only problem was I didn’t want to take over my father’s job. I didn’t want to live up to the ridiculous standards that they set for life. Mom cared more about her appearance and public image more than anything, and I was basically just a prop that completed the Lewis family image. A disappointing prop, especially because I rarely did as they wanted, but a prop nonetheless. Most people thought I was just some spoiled little rich kid and in some ways I probably was. I didn’t have to work, although I volunteered my time to