I held out my arm.
For most of her childhood, Lily had linked her arm through mine whenever we walked into anything important.
Elementary school plays.
Father-daughter dances.
Award ceremonies.
College tours.
She looked at my arm now.
For just a second.
Then she hugged me instead.
A long hug.
Too long.
When she pulled away, her eyes were wet.
“Hey,” I said. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Lily—”
“Just promise me something.”
My stomach tightened.
“What?”
“Whatever happens today… hear everything before you get angry.”
I stared at her.
