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This is a book about Acton, Massachusetts

So naturally, I would like to dedicate it to Andy Bauch of Boxborough

And to Rose, Warren, Sally, Bernie, Niko, and Zach of Encino, California

I a up dinner with my family and my fiancé when my husband calls

It ishis favorite sweater, a hunter green cashmere one that o I think that’s why he loves it somyself here

My auzy white blouse and khakis, trying to hold in a s are co any minute She has always been childlike in her zeal for surprises

My parents have been married for thirty-five years They have raised two children and run a successful bookstore together They have two adorable grandchildren One of their daughters is taking over the family business They have a lot to be proud of This is a happy birthday for my father

Marie is sitting on the other side of my mother and it is tiht next to each other, facing the same direction, that I realize just how reen eyes, petite frames

I’ butt

Luckily, I’ve cos dedicated to the glory of a backside, and ifso far, it’s that I’ies

My naot a booty

I arown-out pixie cut My hazel eyes are upstaged by a constellation of freckles on the top of ht cheekbone My father often jokes he can make out the Little Dipper

Last week,he has spent over two old band While it is not , it is the first time I’ve ever worn a diamond When I look at myself, it’s all I can see

“Oh no,” Dad says, spotting a trio of servers headed our ith a lit slice of cake “You guys didn’t”

This is not falseto him

My mother looks behind her to see what he sees “Oh, Colin,” she says “Lighten up It’s your birthday”

The servers make an abrupt left and head to another table Apparently, my father is not the only person born today My mother sees what has happened and tries to recover

“Which is why I did not tell the you a cake,” she says

“Give it up,” my dad says “You’ve blown your cover”

The servers finish at that table and a er comes out with another slice of cake Now they are all headed right for us

“If you want to hide under the table,” Sam says, “I’ll tell them you’re not here”

Saht just be the best way to be handso with tenderness And he’s funny Truly funny After Sa deeper This isolder, but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s because I a more than I ever have What else could you want in a person other than kindness and hu else really matters to me

The cake arrives, we all sing loudly, and my father turns beet red Then the servers turn away and we are left with an oversized piece of chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream

The waitstaff left five spoons but rabs them all “Not sure why they left so many spoons I only need one,” he says

My rab one from him

“Not so fast, Ashley,” he says “I endured the huet to eat this cake alone”

“If that’s hoe are playing it” Marie says “For marole Well worth it”

Marie drinks a sip of her Diet Coke and then checks her phone for the time Her husband, Mike, is at home with my nieces, Sophie and Ava Marie rarely leaves the