“The Billings merger is going well,” Rick whispers to me. “I knew it was an excellent idea to invite them tonight.”
My stomach muscles clench. “Yes, that was great planning on your part.”
“Wasn’t it? I’m certain by next week, our firm will be able to hash out that contract. That is, if the lawyers get it together in time. Damn legalese.”
Clearing my throat, I stop in front of my husband right before we enter the dining space. “How about we give it a rest on the work talk? Just for tonight.”
Rick glances over my head. “I’m sorry, hon. You know how important this deal is to me. It’s the difference between a ten percent and a thirty percent bonus at the end of the year.”
“I know, I know,” I nullify with a pat to his chest. “Your bonus would help cover the rest of Meghan’s college tuition and fund her law degree with the amount we’ve saved over the years.”
Rick snorts. “That and my much-needed golf trip. You know I found a couple of clubs I want to check out before the end of next week. I think they’ll really help step up my swing.”
His eyes go wide, and I know that look.
“With a better game I can invite Billings out to the club for some one on one. You know how many deals are made on the course, don’t you?”
“Sure do.” Pushing out a sigh, I turn to the ballroom at the same time Meghan blows into the microphone.
Despite my odd mood, a smile crests my lips at the sight of our youngest daughter. She’s glowing in her light pink dress, long, multicolor braids, and a beaming smile.
“Is everyone enjoying themselves?” she asks.
A round of applause sounds around the room.
“How about you, Mom? Are you enjoying your fiftieth celebration?” She looks at me, and even from across the room I see the sincerity shining in her big, brown eyes.
Both of my girls have that in common. They love hard and genuinely.
“I am, baby,” I yell back.
“That’s all that matters. Well,” she continues, “dinner is being served, so everyone please take your seats. We have a little something Shanice, Dad, and I pulled together to watch while we eat.”
A minute later, I’m seated at the table next to Rick on my left with Meghan to my right. Roasted duck, creamy mashed potatoes, and steamed vegetables make up tonight’s dinner.
I eat a couple of bites, savoring the creaminess of the mashed potatoes and the richness of the duck, before I look down the table, past Meghan.
While everyone else is watching the video my family has put together of ‘the story of my life’ as Meghan called it, I search for Shanice. The seat next to Jake is empty.
A beat later, Shanice emerges from the back serving area with a plate in hand. Silently, I watch as she brings the plate over and sits it down in front of Jake. He glances down and nods approvingly.
Only then does she take a seat. However, a moment later Jake says something in her ear and my daughter is back on her feet.
My lips part before I even know what I’m going to say, but Meghan’s voice stops me.
“Lovely, right?” she asks everyone, gesturing to the screen.
A round of applause and cheers sound around the room.
“Shanice and I spent hours going through footage to find enough clips.” Meghan laughs. “Mom, for someone who filmed us so much growing up, it was so hard to find pictures and videos of you,” she points out.
While the rest of the room laughs along with her, I feel my smile tighten. It’s on the tip of my tongue to reply that it’s because I was the only one doing the documenting of our family’s moments.
No one thought to take the camera or phone from me to snap a photo of me. Without thinking, I glance at Rick to see his head in his phone, scrolling through something.
“Isn’t that right, Dad?” Meghan says.
Rick’s head pops up and he gives her his public smile. “That’s right, baby.”
