“The more the merrier,” Gloria insisted and winked at Harper. “Since we’ve got a good crowd and some fine seat savers here, do you want to help me make some lemonade and iced tea?”
“Can I have my own gallon and can you carry me up the steps?”
“Sure, why not?”
***
The parade was a huge hit. The very last 5k finisher was a 76-year-old veteran carrying the American flag followed by the high school marching band playing “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
The action paused long enough at the finish line for Aldo to place the 5k medal around the man’s neck and salute him. The gentleman saluted back and then hugged Aldo, slapping him on the back, and the crowd was on its feet cheering.
Harper saw Gloria swipe away a stray tear as she applauded.
The kids kept Josh entertained, freeing Sophie to run out onto the road to give Ty a kiss when he drove by in the squad car with lights blazing.
“Miss Sophie just kissed that policeman!” Henry shouted with glee.
Charlie, Claire, Mrs. Agosta, Mrs. Moretta, and Gloria’s mom, Sara, set up chairs on the top step of Gloria’s building and enjoyed their iced teas and lemonades.
Harper snapped picture after picture and emailed them all to Luke. She missed him fiercely.
Her phone signaled a new email.
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From: [email protected]
Re: Parade
Keep the pictures coming, baby. I’m looking at every one of them. I miss your beautiful smile.
Love,
Luke
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Harper hugged her phone to her chest and sniffled.
“Aw.” Sophie spotted her watery eyes. “Missing him?” she asked, draping an arm around Harper’s shoulders.
She nodded. “Yeah. A lot.”
“What’s wrong with Miss Harper?” Henry asked.
“She misses Mr. Luke,” Sophie told him.
Henry patted her arm. “It’s okay Miss Harper. We’ll take care of you. We’ll take you to the carnival tonight to see the fireworks. That’ll make you feel better!”
“Thanks, buddy. That’s really nice of you,” Harper said, surprising him with a hug. He grinned, showing off a missing front tooth, and hurried back to his prime candy catching spot.
Mrs. Agosta sighed from her perch on the stoop. “I don’t think I can survive a carnival and fireworks after all the excitement today.”
“How about if I took the kids over to the park tonight?” Harper asked. “I’d love to have some extra company for the fireworks.”
“Oh, dear, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
