I turn toward the stage. Maisie is there, scanning the crowd.
She spots us and waves wildly, her face lighting up when she sees the guys in their suits. She points at them, saying something to the kid next to her.
“She looks ready,” Knox says, sounding proud. “Let’s go watch.”
We move as a group toward the chairs. Jude and Norah have returned, Norah slipping her arm through Jude’s, giving me a knowing wink as we pass.
I sit between Knox and Eli, Fallon on the other side of Eli. The lights dim further.
The microphone squeals.
“Welcome, parents and students, to the annual Fox Hollow Elementary Debate Tournament,” the principal’s voice booms.
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. Maisie steps up to the podium. She looks small behind it, but she adjusts her glasses with a confidence that makes my chest ache.
“Eli,” I whisper, needing to touch him. I reach for his hand under the plastic seat. He threads his fingers through mine, squeezing tight.
“Knock ’em dead, baby,” he whispers back.
Fallon reaches around Eli and places a hand on my shoulder. Knox leans closer, brushing his knee against mine.
Surrounded by them. Dressed up for me. Watching my daughter shine.
The headache is gone. Completely forgotten. In its place is a warmth so profound it makes my toes curl in my boots. I’m not just Amber the survivor, or Amber the single mom.
I’m Amber. And I am theirs.
Jude and Norah weave back through the crowd, slipping into their seats just as the principal taps the microphone, sending a squeal through the speakers.
“I’m so glad y’all made it to this…”
The principal is still talking when my phone buzzes against my thigh. I ignore it, focusing on Maisie, who looks like a tiny general standing behind the podium. She adjusts her glasses, takes a deep breath, and launches into her opening statement about the digestive system of ceramic gnomes.
She’s incredible. She’s confident, loud, and funny. But my phone buzzes again. And again.
I pull it out of my pocket to silence it.
“Trouble?” Eli whispers, leaning close.
“Just Stella,” I whisper back, forcing a smile. “She forgets I’m in a different time zone.”
I shut the ringer off and slip the phone back into my pocket. Eli squeezes my knee under the bleacher, a silent comfort.
Maisie is killing it. She’s adding to Tyler’s points with dramatic hand gestures, using a diagram she drew on poster board.
I catch Jude filming her on his phone, a massive grin splitting his face. Norah is dabbing her eyes with a tissue, looking proud and weepy.
The debate flies by. It feels like five minutes and five hours all at once. When the moderator finally announces the end of the round and the judges retreat to deliberate, the room explodes in applause and shouting.
Maisie beams, scanning the crowd until she spots us. She waves frantically.
We stand as one, clapping until our hands sting. Maisie runs over, launching herself at Jude first, then tackling me.
“I did it! I won!”
“You were amazing,” I say, kissing her forehead. “The gnome argument was inspired.”
“Thanks!” She bounces over to Knox, Eli, and Fallon. “Did you see? Did you hear?”
