Page 95 of Knot What I Expected

“Yes.”

“Obviously. What was I thinking?”

He grins.

My heart squeezes.

“Mommy, will Luke like the present we got him?”

“What’s not to like?” I ask, smiling as he grabs the dinosaur truck he picked out for his new friend.

The wrapping paper is wrinkled and there’s tape everywhere, but he wanted to do it himself. And I’m so proud I could cry.

He started school Monday.

It’s Friday now, and somehow my baby has already been invited to a sleepover for Mrs. Donnelly’s grandson’s birthday party.

Four nights ago, I could barely sleep because he was going to school.

Tonight, I’m voluntarily allowing him to sleep somewhere that isn't under the same roof as me.

Look at me growing and shit.

Of course, the only reason this is happening is because the sleepover is at Mrs. Donnelly’s house.

And I trust my landlady.

She's a good woman. Better than good. She’s been kinder to Matteo and me than she ever needed to be, and she adores my son.

Still...

A sleepover.

Without me.

Please God, let this go well.

I rub my palms down the front of my jeans. He’s never been so excited. The day I finally told him he could start school, the kid went wild.

Actually, wild.

Jumping.

Screaming.

Running around the little garage apartment we rent.

“Really, Mommy?”

“Yes, really.”

“I can go?”

“You can go.”

“Tomorrow?”

I laughed.