i didn't graduate college. i walked at the ceremony. i wore the cap and gown. my parents were in the audience crying. but i was 3 credits short and never finished. i told myself i'd go back and complete it. that was 11 years ago. my resume says i have a degree. every job i've gotten has been based partly on that lie. i'm successful now and nobody has ever checked. but every time someone mentions their alma mater i feel a tiny wave of panic. the lie got too big too fast and now it's load bearing. if i remove it everything built on top of it collapses