“I sat alone at that table,” I said. “Like an idiot.”
Mark’s face crumpled. “Mom, we were trying to keep it a surprise. Grant said he was handling the pickup part.”
I felt my heartbeat speeding up again.
I turned back to the officer, voice rising again.
“Where is Grant?” I asked.
“He’s not here yet.”
Jason frowned. “He said he’d be here by seven. He was supposed to get you.”
Sarah whipped her head toward Mark. “He’s late.”
Mark checked his phone, jaw tight. “He’s not answering.”
I turned back to the officer, voice rising again. “You gave me a note from my son. You drove me here. Where is he?”
Another police cruiser rolled into the lot.
The officer’s mouth opened, then closed.
My hands curled into fists. “Where is my son?”
Headlights swept across the windows. Another police cruiser rolled into the lot. The room went quiet so fast it felt like pressure in my ears.
The cruiser stopped. A door opened. Footsteps. Then Grant walked in. In a police uniform. Badge on his chest.
Jason said, “No way.”
“What are you wearing?”
Sarah whispered, “Grant.”
Eliza made a soft, broken sound. Caleb just stared.
Grant lifted both hands as if he were walking into a storm. “Okay. Before anyone murders me. Happy birthday, Mom.”
My mouth finally worked.
“What are you wearing?” I demanded.
“Are you out of your mind?”
He swallowed. “A uniform.”
Mark choked out, “You’re a cop.”
“Yeah.”
Sarah exploded. “Are you out of your mind? She thought you were dead.”
Grant flinched.
His gaze snapped to mine. “Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I just wanted to surprise you by showing up here in my uniform. I thought it would be funny.”
“You’re the only one who didn’t.”
“You didn’t think,” I repeated, and it came out like a slap.
He nodded, shame all over his face. “I thought it would be a quick scare. Then surprise. I didn’t know you were sitting at home for hours.”
“I was. I was sitting at the table.”
