“You never took me off.”

Chapter 5 — Cancel the Rest

I turned back to the waiter.

“And please cancel everything that hasn’t come out yet for the head table.

The second bottle of wine, the extra seafood tower, all four desserts.”

The patio went very quiet.

“You can’t do that,” my father said.

“I just did.” I kept my voice level, almost gentle.

“Tonight, you’re going to watch your grandson eat.”

When the ribeye came out sizzling and they set it down in front of Rowan, and his whole face opened up with the uncomplicated joy of a six-year-old getting a treat, I watched something change across my family’s faces.