I fell out of my chair! June’s voice grew steadier as she read through the different entries.
“To my three girls. I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to be what you need. But I’m going to stay. I’ll never be the dad you deserve, but I’ll be the one who shows up.”
Ava continued where her sister stopped, her voice breaking.
“I promise you breakfast every morning, even if it’s burnt. I promise you’ll never wonder where I am.”
Claire read the final entry.
“I love you more than I knew a person could love anything. Happy first birthday!”
Ava picked up where her sister left off.
The entire auditorium became a blur around me.
Then June descended the steps and knelt beside me. She placed a framed court order in my trembling hands.
“We filed the petitions months ago,” she said. “They went through last week.”
