VERITY
A YEAR AND A HALF LATER
I lean back in my chair and look over the counter as I watch the last customers leave.
As soon as the door closed behind them, I couldn’t help but sigh.
I move from my chair, away from the counter, and head into the side entrance, where I hear the coos from my son.
A smile forms as I come closer and open the door to find Sandy and Brody playing peek-a-boo. Brody’s laughs fill the room, which is like heaven to my ears.
I walk in, quietly close the door, and lean back, watching the play.
Sandy looks up at me and smiles.
“Look whose here,” she says, making Brody look back at me. He gives me a toothy grin, and his arms go up, “MA,” he screeches.
I grin.
“Hey, big man,” I say, pushing off the door and walking over to him. I pick him up and move him to my
