Kinship’s graduating class was mercifully small, and in minutes, they were all on the field, surrounding their graduate and congratulating him. When Cody wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground in a wild hug, when he whispered “thank you” in her ear, Maggie knew happiness.
His girlfriend, Jun, the adorable barista from the café, and her parents were welcomed into their raucous circle and introduced around. Maggie noted the not-my-little-girl look in Jun’s dad’s eye and decided on the spot to invite them up to the house for cake. Then she took the girl’s mom aside to warn her that it was a full-on surprise party.
Silas drove them home, celebratory music blaring through the truck’s open windows as they brought up the rear of the Campbell house convoy. Maggie covertly texted their ETA ahead to Elton, and when they turned onto the lane, Cody was busy texting Jun.
“Jun said her mom is freaking out that they get to come see the house,” he reported, intent on his phone.
“I’ll let you give them the tour,” she told him.
“Maybe you could?” he asked. “I mean, you could show them around and maybe talk me up?”
“It’s your day,” she said with a grin.
Silas squeezed her knee and nodded through the windshield. Maggie felt a burst of excitement when she saw what awaited them.
“Speaking of your day,” Silas said, bringing the truck to a stop.
Cody looked up and frowned. “Is everyone working today?”
“Nobody’s working today,” she told him.
Assembled on the front porch decked out with green-and-white streamers and a CONGRATULATIONS, CODY banner were two dozen cheering people. They were all wearing T-shirts printed with Cody’s picture that said PROUD OF MY KINSHIP GRADUATE.
“Did you have to with the T-shirts?” he groaned, looking both embarrassed and pleased.
“Oh, we definitely had to,” Silas said, sliding out from behind the wheel. “Mags?”
She rounded the vehicle, and as Silas unbuttoned his dress shirt, she stripped the borrowed gown off over her head to reveal their Cody T-shirts.
Mortified, Cody covered his face. “You guys are seriously embarrassing.”
Seeming to recognize whose special day it was, Kevin raced up wearing his own T-shirt and proceeded to give Cody a celebratory licking.
Cody trudged toward the porch, pretending to reluctantly accept the accolades.
“Did he see it yet?” Maggie asked, sliding her arm around Sy’s waist.
“Not yet,” he said, steering her away from the porch. He whistled at Dean and Dayana, gesturing for them to join.
Cody was in the middle of a haphazard receiving line when Silas reached through the car’s open window and leaned on the horn.
The guests cheered when the graduate looked over and froze, his expression one of classic shock.
“Now he sees it,” Silas said.
“Get over here,” Dean called from behind the camera.
Maggie felt like her smile was going to break her face in two as Cody took a tentative step forward and then finally, the reaction they were waiting for. He vaulted over the porch railing and sprinted toward the SUV with the big red bow.
It wasn’t new. But it was safe, reliable, and 100 percent paid for.
“Are you serious?” he asked, stopping in front of the hood and staring, his hands in his hair. “You’re not fucking with me?”
“We’re definitely not fucking with you,” Maggie said.
Silas tossed him the keys. Cody stared at them in his hand. “Are you serious?” he said again.
“It’s all yours, kiddo,” Dayana told him.
He hugged them all. One by one. Wrapping them up in a bear hug and lifting them off the ground. Even Silas, who returned the favor. “Take her for a ride,” he said.
As Cody ushered Jun into the passenger seat and zipped around the hood, Maggie blinked back tears.
She’d given gifts in her life. Some of them expensive. Some of them thoughtful. But this was the one she knew she’d remember forever. It delivered joy and freedom. It provided options and opportunity.
“Who’s hungry?” Silas called to their guests as Cody drove carefully down the drive, a mile-wide smile plastered on his face.
They grilled burgers—beef, turkey, and veggie—and hot dogs and sat on the terrace, telling stories about high school and college. Cody had a stack of cards and gifts to open and said a sincere thank you to every single person.
Maggie spotted the new arrivals before anyone else and headed them off in the yard.