The whole morning felt like a really fun block party, and in rare moments when I wasn’t chatting or laughing or talking to the camera on someone’s phone, I stood back and marveled at the entire scene.
This was what I wanted to happen.
People coming together to be there for each other.
Connecting.
And it happened because of a giant mistake.
Now that it’s all over and we’ve torn everything down, I gather everyone together around the counter in the kitchen, pour out cups of lemonade, and retrieve a sampler tray I’d hidden in the pantry. I set it down in the center of the little circle.
They all take a cup, and I raise mine.
“A toast,” I say as everyone lifts their glass. “To my friends—” The word lodges itself in my throat, and I have to swallow it to go on. “Thank you for showing up.”
I look at Ava. “Thank you for helping.”
I look at Zoey. “Thank you for sharing your creativity.”
I look at Lorraine. “Thank you for your influence.”
I look at Lennon. “Thank you for your friendship.”
I gesture to all of the men in the room. “Thank you for your muscles.”
A quiet laugh filters through the space.
I look at Miles.
My list of things to thank him for is long.
The way he sat with me on the bathroom floor. The way he shared his own story to convince me not to quit on this dream. The kind words. The encouragement. The Back Porch. Erasing the security camera footage. The dates. I turn to look at him more fully, and I can feel everyone’s eyes on me.
“Thank you for believing in me. For doing so much—too much—to help make this dream come true.” I hold the cup up a little higher and scan the circle again. “Without all of you, I would’ve given up. So... thank you for not letting me.”
There’s a chorus of “Cheers!” and everyone takes a drink, then Lorraine holds her cup up again and says, “And to Claire! For finally figuring out the difference between salt and sugar!”
Laughter and words of agreement fill the air.
I take out my phone and hold it up to take a selfie of the whole room. This is definitely a day I never want to forget. “Everyoneget close!” I wait until we’re all squished into the frame and snap three photos, then smile down at the image on the back of my phone.
The day I discovered my husband’s affair, I thought my life was over.
But it turns out, that was simply the first day of the next chapter.
And I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Claire: Minnie, you won’t believe the day I had! Look!
Minnie: Redemption, baby!
Claire:??
T-minus one week until the grand opening!
I can’t wait to see you!
