When the end came…
The song started and the gymnasium erupted in applause. Parents and teachers cheered as Katie took a bow in the center of the court. Cassidy stood frozen at the edge, forced to watch.
As we left, Katie squeezed my hand. “Can we come back next year?”
—Yes, we’ll be here—I promised him. —And Dad too.
We stepped out into the cold night. Katie’s hand was warm in mine. Above us, the stars shone brighter than ever. For the first time since Keith left, I felt the promise he made to me.
I lived in the laughter that still echoed in the gym. I lived in the way our little girl twirled around in the moonlight. It was, at last, our home.
