Chapter 23
Then Tommy stepped onto the mat.
He looked nervous.
I knelt beside him.
“You okay?”
He nodded.
“Just a little scared.”
I smiled.
“Remember what we talked about?”
He took a breath.
“Being brave doesn't mean not being scared.”
“Exactly.”
He grinned.
“It means doing the right thing even when you are.”
I squeezed his shoulder.
“Go show them.”
Tommy walked to the center of the mat.
He stood before the crowd.
And began speaking.
“My name is Tommy.”
The audience smiled.
“Two years ago, I thought being strong meant being the biggest person in the room.”
He looked toward his father.
Derek sat quietly in the second row.
“But Aunt Claire taught me that being strong means knowing when to walk away.”
He paused.
“And knowing when to help somebody.”
My throat tightened.
Tommy continued.
“One time, a kid at school was being mean to my friend. I wanted to yell at him.”
He smiled shyly.
“But I remembered what Aunt Claire said. So I got a teacher, stayed with my friend, and told the kid to stop.”
The audience applauded.
Tommy beamed.
“And that's why I think Lily's Courage Club is the best place in the world.”
Everyone laughed.
Then he reached into his pocket.
“And I made something for Aunt Claire.”
I blinked.
“What?”
Tommy held up a small paper medal.
It was covered in purple glitter.
On the front, he'd drawn a butterfly.
On the back were four words.
WORLD'S BEST REAL CHAMPION.
I began crying before he even reached me.
He wrapped his arms around my waist.
“I love you, Aunt Claire.”
I held him tightly.
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
The room erupted in applause.
But I barely heard it.
Because for one beautiful moment, I felt something I hadn't felt in years.
Not victory.
Not pride.
Peace.
Later that afternoon, Ryan found me standing alone beside the purple door.
I was looking at Derek's brass plaque.
He slipped an arm around my waist.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I smiled.
“Just thinking.”
“Dangerous hobby.”
I laughed.
Then leaned against him.
“Do you remember the barbecue?”
He groaned.
“Unfortunately.”
“I keep thinking about how different everything is now.”
Ryan nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Nicole's happy. Tommy's thriving. Your parents are working things out.”
“And Derek's finally taking responsibility for his own life.”
I nodded.
Ryan kissed my forehead.
“Not bad for a woman who just wanted to eat potato salad in peace.”