“And yet, somehow, here we are,” she said, smiling a little.

She seemed sad.

And hopeful, too.

“It’s been decades, Leo,” she said. “I knew that someone named ‘Leo’ was helping the kids, but I didn’t expect it to be you. Until tonight.”

“Well, I guess my job here is done,” I said.

“Where are you going?

There’s still a few speeches left before we can leave, son.”

“I’ll be at the snack table,” I said. “I heard that the crab cakes are pretty good.”

That night wasn’t just a reunion.

And for the first time in a long, long time, I saw my dad truly happy.

Later, while Dad and I were getting some ice cream before heading home, he turned to me and smiled.

“I had no idea that you were trying to advertise me,” he laughed. “And proposing to people?”

“I just wanted to see who was out there,” I confessed.

“But a lot of people turned away after hearing that you were a driver.”

“So, you didn’t tell them that I was the owner of a transportation company?” my dad chuckled.

“Well, you drive the vehicles!” I exclaimed. “That makes you a driver!”

“Mint choc chip or just plain chocolate ice cream?” he asked me.

“Mint, please. So, are you going to see Billie again?” I asked.

“Cole, relax,” he said, but he was smiling.

“I’m going to see her, sure. But we do have a lot of history. And I did love her once.

But your mother was the love of my life, so I need Billie to understand that before we even consider anything else.”

I nodded.

“I’m just happy that you’re thinking about it,” I said.