We held a small gathering in the yard behind the duplex: Ruth, Mr.

Dawson, two friends from work and a nurse Jenna had remained in touch with after the hospital.

There were paper lanterns, sandwiches and a cake with a crooked blue star.

Wesley studied the frosting as though it were a complicated mathematical problem before pressing one finger into it.

Everyone laughed.

I watched Jenna carry him from one guest to another.

She was stronger now, but there were still moments when an unexpected smell or the sound of a phone ringing could bring her back to those four days.