She reached for Leo. He stepped behind me.
Brenda’s smile tightened. “Still being sensitive about the haircut, I see.”
“Mom,” Mark said quietly. “Not now.”
“Oh, fine. Dinner’s almost ready. Everyone’s in the dining room.”
We followed her inside. The dining room table was set beautifully. Roast beef, potatoes, vegetables, rolls. Brenda’s famous Sunday dinner.
Mark’s family greeted us warmly. Most of them didn’t know what had happened. A few glanced at Leo’s hair but didn’t say anything.
We sat down. Brenda at the head of the table, Mark’s father at the other end, the rest of us filling in the sides.
Brenda beamed. “I’m so glad we could all be together. Family is so important.”
Mark stood up.
“Actually, Mom, before we eat, I’d like to show everyone something.”
Brenda looked surprised. “Oh? What is it?”
Mark pulled out his laptop and set it on the table.
“I made a little video. About Leo. I think everyone should see it.”
Brenda’s smile faltered. “Mark, this really isn’t the time—”
“It’ll only take five minutes.”
He opened the laptop and pressed play.
The video started with a photo of Lily before her diagnosis. Smiling, healthy, with beautiful brown curls.
Then a video of her in the hospital. Bald. Crying.
Then Leo, three years old, climbing into her bed. His small voice: “Don’t worry, Lily. I’ll grow my hair for both of us.”
The room went completely silent.
