the only way to graduation is to be eighteen years old . the girl who brought him food and water twice a day sat beside him , her dark brown eyes wide . he had no shape , no form- but the image was there nevertheless . `` i hate to disappoint the kids , but there 's nothing i can do . '' reaching up , he tucks my hair behind my ear . he cut over onto the lawn as the woman disappeared inside the house . she snaps back into place with a toss of her hair . 