Chapter 17 - The Unexpected Invitation
Four years after Napa, I received an invitation.
Not to a gala.
Not to a board meeting.
To Noah Bennett's daughter's birthday party.
His daughter Sophie was turning six.
I went.
So did Adrian.
Neither of us knew the other had been invited.
Noah looked horrified.
“I can explain.”
I laughed.
“Relax.”
Adrian smiled.
“We're adults, Noah.”
“History suggests otherwise.”
That made all three of us laugh.
Watching children run through the backyard hurt.
Then didn't.
A little boy handed me a bubble wand.
“Can you make a giant one?”
“I can try.”
I failed spectacularly.
He laughed.
I laughed.
And something shifted.
For years, I had feared joy around children because it felt like betrayal.
But loving Daniel didn't require me to remain miserable.
That realization may have saved the rest of my life.
Before leaving, Noah hugged me.
“You know something?”
“What?”
“The morning at the hospital, I thought I was watching your life end.”
“So did I.”
“I was wrong.”
May you like
I looked across the yard.
“So was I.”
