I thought that would be the worst thing Vanessa ever tried to take from me.
I heard footsteps padding down the hall while I was hanging up my work shirt.
I turned as Ethan entered the room.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” I asked. “It’s a big day tomorrow.”
“I can’t sleep. I keep thinking about the speech.”
“You’ll be wonderful. You’ve been wonderful at everything.”
“Mom.” His voice softened the way it used to when he was little. “Promise me you’ll come early.”
“Shouldn’t you be asleep?”
“I’m coming early. I already set two alarms.”
“Good.” A pause. “I reserved your seat myself. I taped a card on it with your name. Front row, on the aisle, so you can see everything.”
My throat tightened in a way I hadn’t allowed in years. “You didn’t have to do that, honey.”
“Yeah, I did.” He laughed. “Mom, I want you where I can see you. Okay? Front row.”
I had no idea that seat would become the center of the most humiliating moment of my life.
