People nodded.
“I paid for every chair.”
The silence deepened.
“The food.”
“The flowers.”
“The decorations.”
“The music.”
“The cake.”
“I paid every single bill.”
Robert frowned.
“What are you doing?”
Thomas paid no attention to him.
“For years, my parents have introduced me as the son who let them down.”
Several relatives shifted awkwardly.
“They tell everyone I have three children with three different women.”
He looked toward Rebecca.
“That part is true.”
Then toward Samuel.
“I made mistakes.”
Toward Jacob.
“I have apologized for those mistakes.”
“But these three children…”
His voice grew gentler.
“…have never been mistaken.”
Rebecca burst into tears.
Thomas went on.
“I’ve worked eighteen-hour shifts so none of them would ever question whether they were loved.”
“I missed birthdays because I was building businesses.”
“I slept in restaurant offices.”
“I sold my pickup.”
“I refinanced everything I had.”
“So these children could grow up in stable homes.”
He looked straight at Robert.
