He rubbed his hands nervously.
“I saved you a seat.”
My heart tightened again, but this time in the best possible way.
“Just me?”
He nodded.
“Front section.”
There was something almost boyish in his expression.
The same look he had worn at eight years old before asking me to watch him jump from the highest diving board at the community pool.
“Will you come?”
I smiled.
“My son graduates from the police academy and thinks there’s any possibility his mother won’t be there?”
His shoulders relaxed.
“So that’s a yes?”
“It’s a yes.”
His smile became enormous.
Part 8 — The Sound I Had Missed
Before the night ended, I looked down the long table.
All six of my children were there.
Mark was arguing with Jason.
Sarah was fixing Eliza’s hair for a photo.
Caleb was stealing icing from the cake.
Grant sat beside me in his uniform.
For a moment, I simply watched them.
Then I tapped my glass.
“Listen.”
They slowly quieted.
“I want a family rule.”
Jason groaned.
“We’re all forty, Mom.”
“Then you’re old enough to follow instructions.”
Everyone laughed.
