Tina seemed overwhelmed, raising her hand to her mouth; Mitch moved it aside and kissed her fervently—which brought more applause—then led her to a chair in the front row. Cord said that once Tina was served and given a class of champagne, everyone else should line up and get further snacks and drinks.

An hour of eating and greeting later, Aaron went to the mic and said the concert was now officially underway. People settled in to listen.

Carly climbed up to the stage and took part in the first few songs—“Walkin’ after Midnight,” “Jolene” and “Ring of Fire.” Then Aaron said that Carly Shannon, whom most of them had met, was going to end this set with a newly written and very personal song of her own called “Mother and Nature.”

When she’d finished her performance, the applause went long and loud, with Cord, J.P. and Eli cheering the longest and loudest of them all. Shallie, standing beside them, had to cover her face to hide her tears—tears of sadness for what she and Shallie had lost and joy for what they’d found.

The break gave their friends and neighbors a chance to chat, to score more food and drink, to hug Tina and wish her the best of birthdays. Carly heard someone say, “You’re a senior citizen now!” Tina just rolled her eyes—seemed to be a habit around here.

The next and final set began with Carly’s animal song, unquestionably a hit with this group. And it ended with her special version of the birthday song.

“Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday, dear Tina,

We all love you!

From the smallest cat to

The biggest horse

Every one of us is on course

To wish you the greatest day

And the best in every way.

Happy Birthday, dearest Tina,

We…all…love…you!”

The audience sang along the second time through, ending in a shout that could have shaken the leaves from the trees.

Tina was openly crying, and she and Shallie rushed over to hug Carly. “You know,” Tina said, “you’re always saying how lucky you are to be with all of us. Well, we’re just as lucky to have you in our lives. Both of you.”

By then all three of them were crying.

A lot of tears tonight, Shallie thought. Almost as many tears as cheers. She couldn’t help a slight grin at her inadvertent rhyme.

Cord joined them then, with a kiss on the cheek for Tina and Carly, and slid his arms around Shallie. She sheltered there, with a feeling of gratitude that these people were in her life, too. Especially Cord…