Empty Folding Chair

Pain seared certain scenes of my life into perfect imprints in my memory. I was in a high ceiling theatre auditorium, filled with plush red folding chairs. My dad seated on my right whispering in my ear, asking what I thought so far of this college tour. The lights dimmed and the presenter stepped out. My attention instead focused on the girl sitting in front of me. She had her mom sitting on her left side and her dad on her right. They were both looking to their daughter to check in with her.

I looked to my left and only saw an empty folder chair, with the bottom folded up. My mom had looked forward to seeing me go to college. She always went above and beyond for everyone in my family. When my cousin went off to college my mom sent her a care basket every quarter filled with thoughtful goodies. I wanted her arm around me and her hand on mine. The auditorium had a slight draft and the warmth my mom gave off could rid any chill from a room. I wished I still had what the girl in front of me had. I looked to my right and remembered all that I still had with me in this life, and leaned onto my dad’s shoulder.