Emma nodded seriously.
“Because Mommy says everyone needs friends.”
Several guests smiled.
A few looked embarrassed.
The governor folded the drawing carefully.
“That conversation came during a difficult week.”
He glanced at me.
“Your mother reminded me what kindness looks like when nobody’s watching.”
For the first time all evening, I noticed something strange.
The governor wasn’t speaking like a politician.
He was speaking like a grateful father.
A human being.
My father suddenly cleared his throat.
“Claire never mentioned meeting you.”
The governor looked at him.
“No?”
“No.”
The
