Inside, the gym glowed with lights and music. Balloons floated, laughter echoed, and daughters spun across the floor with their dads.
Katie slowed beside me.
“Do you see your friends?” I asked.
“They’re all dancing with their dads.”
We found a spot along the wall. She curled up beside me, watching. When a slow song started, her voice dropped to a whisper.
“Maybe… we should go home?”
I squeezed her hand. “Let’s just stay a little longer.”
Then came the comment.
A group of moms passed by, led by Cassidy, polished as always. She paused, glancing at us with a look that wasn’t quite kindness.
“Events for complete families are always hard on children from… well, you know. Incomplete families.”
I felt something sharp rise inside me.
Continued on the next page
