“Thank you. For all of this. I didn’t know, Keith never told me he asked you to come if he didn’t… make it.”
I felt a laugh bubble out of me.
He smiled. “That’s how he was, wasn’t it? Never wanted to worry you. But he made sure we knew, just in case.”
“He was everything to us, General.”
General Warner nodded. “He was one of the most honorable men I’ve ever met. I’d do anything for that man, even risk public humiliation doing a chicken dance in a gym full of eight-year-olds.”
I laughed with him, feeling lighter.
“Truth be told, Jill, we were all nervous. Katie’s a tough act to follow.”
“She is,” I agreed, watching my daughter spin, badge shining. “You made her night. You all gave her back something I thought was gone.”
“Katie’s a tough act to follow.”
“That’s what families do,” he said. “Keith made us promise. There was never a question.”
Katie hurried over, face beaming. “Mom! Did you see me dance?! And General Warner didn’t even step on my toes!”
I knelt to hug her, holding on a little longer than usual. “You were amazing, my love. And your dad, he’d be the happiest person.”
General Warner saluted her. “It was our honor, ma’am. You made us all look good.”
When the last song played, the whole gym erupted in applause. Parents and teachers cheered as Katie took a bow at the center of the floor. Cassidy stood frozen at the edge of the crowd, forced to watch.
“It was our honor, ma’am. You made us all look good.”
On the way out, Katie squeezed my hand. “Can we come again next year?”
“Yes, we’ll be here,” I promised. “And so will Dad.”
We stepped outside into the cold. Katie’s hand was warm in mine. Above us, the stars looked brighter than ever. For the first time since Keith was gone, I felt the promise he’d made.
It was etched in the laughter echoing from the gym. It was in the way our little girl twirled under the moonlight. It was truly, finally home.
For the first time since Keith was gone, I felt the promise he’d made.