Chapter 15 - THE FAMILY TABLEThomas's first birthday was chaos.
Balloons.
Cake.
Laughter.
Children running through the yard.
Dad telling embarrassing stories about my childhood.
Mark chasing Lily with a garden hose.
I stood on the porch and watched them.
For a moment, I remembered another dining room.
Another table.
Another family.
A plate flying through the air.
A woman terrified to speak.
I was that woman once.
But she was gone.
Dad came beside me.
"Thinking about that night?"
"Sometimes."
He looked at the family gathered around us.
"Do you regret calling me?"
I smiled.
"Never."
He nodded.
Then he looked toward the sky.
"Your mother would be proud."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I hope so."
"I know so."
I leaned against him.
For once, I didn't wonder what might have happened.
I knew exactly what happened.
May you like
I chose myself.
And that choice saved us.
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