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Jenny

I take a seat opposite atfor him to compose himself

I’m proud of Alex and the way he controlled his temper, that’s twice in the past two days he has proved to himself that he can do it after all

Finally, Dad looks up He looks upset, and oes out to him

“I know this is tough Dad,” I say, and irl anymore I’m an adult and I can make my own decisions”

“He took advantage of you,” he says stubbornly

“That’s not true,” I correct hi out any juicy details I explain abouthination

“I guess you’ve gone and grown up in front of my eyes But I can’t pretend to be happy about this”

“I know,” I concede, “but ood man Dad, that’s why he’s your friend isn’t it? And I know it’s really, really quick, but I believe he loves me You saw the way he defended me”

Dad nods, then leans over and ruffles my hair

“I won’t stand in your way,” he concedes, and I feel ood news

Later that afternoon I stand withthatto take soo hoether But I’ him next weekend, and I already can’t wait

It’s been a funny Fourth of July, but I also know it’s heralded the start of the rest of my life

Epilogue

Three months later

Alex

I look down at the length of the sht of Jenny walking towards me I blink my eyes The last time I cried in public, I was five But these eets closer to , I let ets closer to me

I kneanted to marry her after our first time, and popped the question three weeks after our first tiht under the fireworks was earth shattering in ood news of her own that day, because she is now carryingto be a father, and I don’t think I have ever been so happy The only thingis my parents, ould be thrilled, but my sister and her brood are here at least, and I know if there is such a thing as an afterlife then Moht now