by Claudia Bushee

Created on: May 01, 2008

Tom Petty was singing, "Running Down a Dream," in Lucy's head. From her perch on the altar, she pressed a half smile. She saw her younger son, Jack, sitting in the front pew, bringing his index finger to his lips. He was quieting his nine-month-old cousin, who was warbling, "baa, baa, baa," while reaching for Jack's tie. Jack accommodated her, letting the tie reach her grasp and then recoiling it. Lucy could hear the baby shriek, and then saw her son make the sign of silence again. The "baa, baa, baa" was in time with "Running Down a Dream."

Earlier, Lucy pulled Jack away from his army guys, so that she could help him get dressed. Jack was seven and had big feet; long, skinny, white legs; a short torso, and stick out ears. His hair sat on his head like Sideshow Bob's - curly and crazy. His green eyes looked at his mom earnestly, directly. "Mom, that hurts. Stop!"

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry. I'm not good tying ties. Here, let's make it a little looser." She bent in a little closer to make the adjustment and then kissed his head a little longer than usual.

"Mom, you look really pretty."

"Oh, you are so sweet. Thank you, Jack. You look very handsome. Look at yourself in the mirror." Lucy spun him around to face the reflection. He looked down at his shiny shoes and then passed his hand over his tie. He looked up at his mom.

"Is Daddy coming to the wedding?"

"No, he's not."
"How come?"

"Well, I'm no longer married to Daddy. And I haven't been for a long time. And now, well, you knowI'm marrying Doug. And so, Daddy isn't part of the ceremony."

"But, why? I don't get it. He is my dad, right?"

Lucy turned to consider her reflection before answering. "Yes, Daddy will always be your dad. And he will always love you. But Daddy and I don't love each other. We did at one time. But now, it's more like we are friends kind of like you and Steven. Except that, because we were once family, now it's kind of awkward. Do you know that word? Awkward?"

"No."

"Well, it would be a little like if you and Stevie got in a fight and then had to hang out. You probably wouldn't like that. That's like Daddy and me."
"Oh." Jack cast his eyes to the floor. "So you and Daddy aren't family anymore?"

"No. Daddy and I are not family. But you and Henry and Daddy are a family. And then you have another family with me and Henry, and Doug and his kids. So you have a lot of people who are your family. A lot of people who love you." Lucy kneeled down to hug her son, her dress bunching up - looking like a tremendous

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