Sixty

EMMA.

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“Ryan R. Smith! Get back here!” I called out to the small baby boy who waddled around the room butt-naked while I pursued him with his little shorts. He had the nerve to giggle as he led me around the apartment in an attempt to run away from wearing his shorts. “Mama, no! Mama!” he called with a giggle.

I couldn’t believe my two-and-a-half-year-old was trying to outrun me. I caught him, and he let out a laugh, half-scared. I blew mouth bubbles on his tummy. “I caught you, baby!”

“Ah, that tickles, Mama!” he called to me happily as I laid him on the carpet and put on his pants with a bright smile on my face. He was my joy and everything to me. Luckily, today was Sunday, even though I had missed one of the most important days of my best friend's life. I was sorry I couldn’t come for the engagement.

My phone buzzed at that moment, and I reached for it to see if it was a video call from Amy. I picked it up immediately, as I was met with a blinding smile from my friend.

“If it isn’