Marcus arrived with Jordan, who brought engineering textbooks because an exam was coming up. Alina and her husband carried a tres leches cake. Ethan’s mother prepared potato salad. Caleb came early to arrange chairs. Mom brought flowers she had grown on the balcony of her new apartment.
As the sun began to set, Ethan tapped his fork lightly against his glass.
“I’m not giving a speech,” he announced.
Everyone laughed because Ethan disliked public speaking.
He looked at me.
“I just want to say that one year ago, Maya walked down the aisle by herself.”
I smiled.
“You promised no speech.”
“I lied a little.”
The laughter grew louder.
Taking my hand, Ethan continued.
“But she didn’t walk alone after that. Not because of me. Because she chose truth over fear. And somehow, the rest of us got brave enough to follow.”
Mom cried again, though this time she smiled through her tears.
