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Our kids explode, sending popcorn flying as they all jump up and down, first on us, then on the couch, and finally all around the large living room before they start doing laps around the house.
Glad the TV is turned up so loud, both Michael and I will actually get to hear Zoe’s speech as the kids, all of them except baby Mille, end up running amok in, around, and finally outside.
Somehow involving a garden hose and two of the dogs in what turns into a separate incident we’ll have to deal with, after Zoe’s win that is.
While Zoe is walking to the podium, they play a clip from the show she’s in. We watch the show, but only so we can see her in it.
She’s been waiting for this moment for a decade, working her ass off in everything from sleazy arthouse plays to TV commercials to speaking parts in movies that are sometimes edited out.
This is her time to shine, and her dad and best friend, apart from being her biggest fans, couldn't be prouder.
An award like this? It means guaranteed work for her. A real step up and she’s still in her prime.
Michael sits spellbound, leaning forward when she starts to give her speech after accepting the award.
Zoe looks right at the camera, like she’s talking directly to us, to Mama and Papa Peterson too, who we know are there watching from her table.
“Thank you… Thank you…” she begins, listing off all of the teams behind the scenes and production people who make their show happen.
Neither of us is expecting it. I wouldn’t notice if she didn’t mention us, but I’m glad we’re recording it so the kids can watch it later.
See what they’ve really missed.
With a wavering voice, filled with emotion, Zoe thanks each and every one of us by name. Mama and Papa Peterson, all the kids, and finally in her own words, her ‘two best friends.’
“For my best friend, Sheree, and for my dad, Michael. This is for you. For both of you. For showing me what love really means, that age is just a number, and most of all, for believing in me. For loving me when I was a pain in the ass and for never giving up. I love you both and you’d better make a space for this thing on the mantel… I’m comin’ over!”
There’s loud applause and then a break to commercials.
Michael and I sit stunned. Proud, happy. Touched and both taught the greatest lesson of all.
Getting and accepting thanks when it was never expected.
Once the award show’s finished, Michael rounds up the kids and runs a series of baths, demanding in his own way to know how they managed to get so dirty so quickly.
Asking loudly if we need to call the vet, did the dog really swallow a what?
I hug my elbows, and making sure little Millie’s safe and sound in her crib, I walk out to the porch to watch the dying light of day over the lake, the fields beyond glowing orange-purple this time of day at this time of year.
A chirping bird catches my eye in a nearby bush.
Cocking its head, looking right at me. A little tuft of grass in its beak that it’s molding.
Nesting.
I feel my hands run across my belly. A familiar feeling inside me, the memory of a similar tiny bird all those years ago.
Whatever the storm. We can weather it. Whatever the season, we can make the most of it.
With the love of my man, and a family like nothing we’ve ever had ourselves until now.
How can we be anything but happy?
Forever.
