The Night Parade(123)

Kathy and Ellie were seated at the kitchen table. There was a birthday cake with a waxy number 9 candle on it. Ellie’s stuffed elephant was propped up beside the cake, a pointed party hat fastened to its head. There was also an empty seat waiting for him.

Kathy waved him over. Laughed beautifully.

Ellie brightened, just as she used to when she was a little girl. “Daddy,” she said.

“Little Spoon,” he said.

And he went to them.