Page 207 of The Art of Almost Losing It
“That makes me so happy that you guys all did this together.” She kisses each of us on the head, though Ryan and I have to crouch a little for her to reach.
“To be fair, Dani and Claire did most of it,” Shawn confesses.
“Well then, Dani and Claire, you’re my babies now too!” They’re squeezed into a big hug.
“We made sure you have a pickle fountain.”
“Just so you know, that’s basically where I’m going to be all evening,” she jokes.
“The martinis are right next to it.” Dani smiles.
“Great, because I need a drink.”
Claire dabs at her face.
“I think you’ve earned it. But first—” Dani hefts a big white box. “You’ll probably want a nice outfit. Frank, we brought your slacks and shirt.”
Frank is still looking at Mom in concern.
“Frank, did you see this? The kids threw us a party! A surprise party!”
“And there are those cupcakes you like, and a mac and cheese bar,” Bridget tells him.
“What! You guys got all my favorites!” Mom is excited.
“And your favorite band is here.”
“What?” Mom says, confused, as Claire and Bridget try to shoo her off to go change.
Familiar notes start up at the stage at the other end of the venue.
“You have Duran Duran here?” Mom looks like she’s about to faint. “Graham! How much did that cost?”
“Mom, this is your party. Can you please let Graham spend money on you? My god.” Hannah throws up her hands.
“Frank!” Several older guys with military haircuts surround Frank.
“You got my old Gulf War buddies here!” Frank looks choked up.
“They had to bribe us with single malt and a private plane ride,” they joke and slap him on the back.
I start to relax.
Mom and Frank are both grinning as Ryan and Claire shoo them off to change.
When they come back out in their party clothes, they’re greeted with a round of applause.
Duran Duran plays “Hungry Like the Wolf” while Mom makes Frank dance with her.
Dani slips an arm around my waist.
“Isn’t this great? It started off a little shaky, but we got there!”
I want to kiss her. Instead, I cup her face.
“Thank you. I don’t think… Well, I don’t know if Aurora would have been this happy without your ideas. I don’t plan parties. This is a really big event.”
“I’m so happy everyone could make it. Even Frank’s dancing. Look at him.”
