He smiled.
“Sit down, Mom,” Joel said.
I looked at him.
He smiled.
“We’ve got everything.”
Zoe climbed into her seat.
“Daddy says you’re our special guest.”
Joel rested his hand on my shoulder.
“Tonight, Mom, we’re looking after you.”
I sat down.
For once, nobody asked me to do anything.
Nobody handed me instructions.
Nobody suggested I leave.
Joel served my dinner first.
Then he sat beside me.
Then Zoe asked whether I would come again.
I told her yes.
Not because they needed a babysitter.
Because they wanted me there.
And finally, I believed it.
