"You were wanted every second, my boy."
Then the patio door slid open behind us.
Mom stepped through with a bright gift bag. "Dawn? Why are you standing out front? I brought the boys their presents."
He was warm, real, and breathing.
My mother stared at Rowan like she'd seen a ghost.
"Dawn," she whispered.
I stepped between her and my son.
"Which boys, Mom?"
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
"You brought gifts for Riley and Rex," I said. "But you knew there were three."
Watson stood beside me. "You told us Rowan died."
My mother stared at Rowan.
Mom's hand tightened around the gift bag. "Not now. Let's do this later, when the backyard isn't crawling with teenagers."
"No," I said. "Let's do it now."
The backyard went quiet. Riley came to the patio door first, with Rex right behind him.
"Mom?" Riley asked. "What's going on?"
