“They’re all busy with their dads.”
We edged around the dance floor, sticking close to the wall. Every few steps, people glanced at us, at me in plain black, and at Katie’s too-brave smile.
A girl from Katie’s class, Molly, waved from across the room, her dad dipping her in a clumsy waltz. “Hi, Katie!” she called. Her dad smiled at us with a quick nod.
Katie smiled but didn’t move.
“Do you see any of your friends?”
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We found a spot by the mats. I sat on the edge, and Katie curled up beside me, knees to her chest, badge glinting in the colored lights.
She watched the dance floor, eyes wide and hopeful, but when the slow song started, the weight of missing Keith seemed to press her smaller.
“Mom?” she whispered. “Maybe… maybe we should go home?”
That almost broke me. I took her hand, squeezing until my knuckles hurt. “Let’s just rest for a minute, my love,” I said.
She watched the dance floor.
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At that moment, a group of moms glided past, perfume trailing in their wake. At the front was Cassidy, PTA queen, never a hair out of place.
She spotted Katie and me and paused, her eyes soft with something that looked like concern.
“Poor thing,” she said, just loud enough for the others to hear. “Events for complete families are always hard on children from… well, you know. Incomplete families.”
I stiffened, pulse thudding in my ears.
“What did you say?” My voice came out sharper and louder than I meant, but I didn’t care.
“Events for complete families are always hard on children.”
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Cassidy smiled, her lips thin. “I’m just saying, Jill, maybe some events just aren’t for everyone. This is a father-daughter dance. If you don’t have a father —”
“My daughter has a father,” I cut in. “He gave his life defending this country.”
Cassidy blinked, caught off guard. The other moms shifted, suddenly fascinated by their bracelets and phones.
***
The music changed again, this time it was one of Keith’s favorite oldies, the one he and Katie used to dance to in the living room. Katie shrank against me, face buried in my sleeve.
“I wish he was here, Mom.”
“I know, sweetheart. I wish that every day,” I murmured, smoothing her hair. “But you’re doing so well, honey. He’d be so proud of you.”
“He gave his life defending this country.”
