Let people love you.
— Jon”
I folded the paper and pressed it to my chest.
“You were the brave one.”
***
Outside the school, the air felt cold and clean. Jenna stood by the curb with Millie, one hand resting between her daughter’s shoulders like she was afraid to lose contact.
I walked over first.
“Dinner tonight,” I said.
Jenna blinked. “What?”
“You’re coming over.” I looked at Millie. “No arguments. I know every trick for feeding somebody who says they’re not hungry. I got very good at it.”
“You’re coming over.”
Jenna’s eyes filled. “Piper…”
“I’m serious.”
Millie looked at Letty. “Can I have dinner at your house too?”
Letty gave her a small smile. “Only if you don’t hide in the bathroom anymore.”
Millie smiled back. “Only if you stop cutting your own hair without supervision.”
“That’s fair.”
Jenna laughed through tears, and something in all four of us softened.
Millie looked at Letty.
***
On the drive home, Letty held Jonathan’s hard hat in her lap. “Do you think Dad would’ve cried today?”
I smiled through fresh tears. “Absolutely. Then he would’ve lied about it.”
Jonathan hadn’t come home to us, but somehow, because of our daughter, his love still had.
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