Chapter 10 - The Birthday
The backyard was decorated with bright blue and silver balloons.
They caught the warm afternoon sunlight.
The smell of barbecue floated through the air, mixing with the sound of laughter.
Our neighbors, Mrs. Vance, and even the responding officer were there.
They were all sitting on the patio.
In the center of the grass, Leo was taking his first wobbly steps.
He wore a tiny pair of denim overalls.
His shirt said "One Year Tough."
He giggled loudly.
His arms were outstretched as he tumbled into Grandma’s waiting arms.
She covered his face with kisses.
Her laugh rang out, completely free of the shadows that used to haunt this house.
I stood by the kitchen door.
I held a camera.
I watched my son.
He wasn't just my half-brother anymore.
He was mine.
We had survived the darkest cruelty imaginable.
We had built a fortress of love over its ruins.
Leo looked up.
He saw me and babbled happily.
He reached his small hands in my direction.
I knelt in the grass and caught him.
May you like
I held him tight against my chest.
I knew absolutely nothing would ever hurt him again.
