Gazing down at the simple gold ring in its velvet box, he said, “This will bring so many parts of my life together. You and me, Carly, my family.”

“Yes,” she said again. “You ask her, okay?”

“No, we should do it together.”

And that night they did. He also explained the best man “issue”—and Shallie immediately said she’d see if Tina would be her matron of honor.

She called Tina, and in a matter of minutes heard an enthusiastic “Of course!”

CARLY WROTE A brief entry in her journal.

Another reason to smile! I’m going to be the ring bearer at Cord and Shallie’s wedding! Cord did say he knows it’s a really “traditional” thing, and that he’s not officially my dad (yet?) and that I might consider myself too old for that kind of role.

I told him and Shallie that none of those things matter. I’m just so honored by this. I know their wedding will be one of the happiest days in my life.

THAT EVENING, ELI went to Sara’s for dinner, delighted to find the whole family in a good mood. Still, he watched Eric carefully and sensed that his nephew felt a bit nervous, but when Sara proposed that they play an old-fashioned board game, they all joined in. Hayley chose Monopoly, which Eli hadn’t played in—what? Twenty years? At least. And, for her age, Hayley was a better-than-average player and deserved the win she achieved.

After goodbye hugs with Sara and Hayley and a handshake with Eric, the boy followed him to the door, asking for a confidential discussion. Keeping his voice low, he said that one of his companions in crime had texted him a threatening message.

“Who is it?” Eli asked bluntly. “Threatening how? Give me details.”

Eric shook his head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I just wanted you to know about it.”

“Do you want me to do something or not?”

“Uh. I guess we should leave it for now. I’m not really scared—more pissed off.”

“Okay, I’ll have to go along with that. But you call me the second you hear from this jerk again. If you do.”

Eric nodded, a gloomy look on his face.

“Listen,” Eli said. “You’ve been doing really well. We’re all proud of you.”

“Thanks, Uncle Eli. I mean that. I owe you and Mom and Loretta—you know, my therapist—and a bunch of other people for that. I feel like I have a future now.”

“You do, damn it!”

“You don’t have to yell at me.”

Eli sighed, relieved that Sara and Hayley had gone upstairs. “Sorry, I know. Just keep in mind that you have a second chance here.” He clasped Eric’s shoulder. “You’ve got a lot of potential and we’re all counting on you.”