I caress her hair off her forehead. Her eyelids flutter, the shadow of a smile plays on her lips, then she’s lost in sleep again.
She thinks I’m worried about tomorrow, but I’m not.
I’m not that man anymore. Everything I told her during our walk is true. Although I do care about Lilyvale, about the store, about all that the Callaways have been passing down generations, only the people I love are truly important to me. It may sound obvious, but I’d lost sight of that.
And tonight, with the exception of Gail, they were all around the family table. My wife, my siblings, and the unexpected and colorful addition ofAuntAngela and Marcy.
A loud noise coming from upstairs pulls me from my sleepy thoughts.
Then there’s a sharp cry.
I tense. Is this what I think it is? Should I check or—
Willow’s arm tightens around my chest. “Wait,” she whispers.
“Did you hear that?” I grunt.
“Sshh. Yes.”
Another loud bang, followed by a longer cry. Willow grabs her phone.
My phone dings. “What are you doing?” I ask, but she doesn’t answer.
My phone dings again.
Another bang, another cry, then an agonizingly long silence.
Another ding.
Willow’s face is lit by her phone screen, and she starts shaking with silent laughter.
I lean over to read from her screen.
Me to Family:
Beck?
Beck:
On it. Giving Elsbeth a little time.
Griff:
She deserves her fun.
Lane:
Lets hope G doesn’t have a heart condition
Me:
Or let’s hope she does?
Beck:
Man, that was loud.
Griff:
