Senior Night….

Sophie looked up at the crowd as they filed into the high school gym and took their seats on the bleachers. It was Senior Night and this was the last time she would play a volleyball match on this floor.

She immediately found her mom. She was only 5 feet tall, but she filled every room she was in like a person twice her height. Cropped platinum hair and a fierce spirit only added to the fun. Sophie smiled and waved as Mrs. Shrout sat down.

Sophie knew the seat next to her would be empty, but that didn’t stop her from looking.

She always looked for him in a crowd.

Even though she knew he would not be here. He was on another mission. Another deployment.

Sophie was proud of her dad, but tonight she was overwhelmed with an ache she hadn’t experienced before. He promised he would be back for her graduation and that had been the focus when he left.

But now Sophie realized just how much she wanted to stand on this court with him. This place gave her dad so much joy and pride when he watched her play.

This night that would never come again. You don’t get do-overs in real time.

Sophie heard the whistle and scrambled to her place on the sideline with the rest of her teammates. She stood tall with her hand over her heart as the pep band played the national anthem.

She knew her Mom would have tears in her eyes, so Sophie stared straight ahead.

When the music stopped and the Athletic Director picked up the microphone to announce the Senior Night festivities, the team retreated to the bench and left the three seniors on the line waiting to be honored.

“Tonight we honor three outstanding seniors and leaders…”

Sophie’s thoughts drifted off as he rattled off their statistics and highlights. She didn’t care about all that; she was wondering what her dad was doing at that very moment.

“At this time, we would like to invite the parents of these accomplished seniors to come join them on the court.”

Sophie watched her mom navigate the steps down to the court. She tried not to focus on the fact that she was the only senior with only one parent beside her.

One of her teammates handed her mom flowers, and despite Sophie’s best efforts, she could feel the tears start to come.

A sudden movement next to her caught her off guard as she realized that Coach Huckaby (Her favorite coach and teacher) had stepped up to the line and stood at her other shoulder.

He wasn’t her Dad, but Sophie felt better with the space occupied.

AS the crowd broke into applause and cheers, Sophie breathed a sigh of relief. She hugged her coach and thanked him, and walked her mom back to the stands.

They both wiped away tears. Sophie’s mom looked at her and said,

“Well, that sucked ....”

Sophie burst out laughing, gave her Mom a big hug, and joined her team on the court.

*For more about Military Teenagers, Check Out …Ode to the Military Teenager