“I know.

I just like saying it.”

I knelt and hugged her.

Rose brought out cupcakes, Willa’s classmates played a game that involved placing stars on a cardboard sky, and I met other parents who knew me only as the man newly finding his place in Willa’s life.

It was strangely freeing not to have a title or reputation do the introducing.

Elena watched while I helped Willa untangle ribbons from the backs of chairs.