Once we started eating, everyone kind of relaxed. Mason tried to slice the cake perfectly and totally failed. Carter told some completely pointless story that somehow got everyone cracking up anyway.
Brooke leaned over to me and whispered, “I truly am sorry.”
“I know you are,” I replied. “Just make sure ‘being busy’ doesn’t turn into ‘being gone.’”
Her eyes got a little teary. “I promise.”
A bit later, when the party balloons started looking a little sad, Dean leaned in close.
“My graduation from the academy is next week,” he told me. “I saved a seat just for you.”
“Next week,” I said back to him.
He nodded, looking super proud but also pretty nervous. “Are you gonna come?”
I just stared at him. My wildest kid. My toughest one. My boy wearing a badge, actually trying his best.
“Yeah,” I told him. “I’ll definitely be there.”
He finally relaxed his shoulders and gave me a real smile.
I looked all the way down the table at all six of my kids.
“Hey, listen up,” I called out.
Everyone got quiet.
