Page 66 of Big Balls
Epilogue - Zoe
Eighteen months later
Today,Katy is taking home an award for Student of the Month. It’s the type of thing that Ethan has always longed for, and here at the Worthington Academy, it’s happened, and I couldn’t be happier for both of them.
The school’s principal called me shortly after the poker fundraiser and asked me about coming in for an interview with her alone instead of the hiring committee like before.
I agreed to meet her for a casual coffee instead, and despite my initial reluctance, I’ve been the curriculum director for Worthington for over a year now, and I love every single moment at my job.
I’m still involved with the Autism Center, but now I’m on the board with Sebastian instead of an employee. I have earmarked a percentage of my paycheck at the school to go directly to the foundation, and I still push my fundraising ideas on them every chance I get.
The PA system issues a set of tones, and I quickly check my watch and then haul ass toward the auditorium. My father and brothers are here, and they’re supposed to be saving me a seat right next to Ethan. But I don’t want to be late.
I don’t want to miss even a second of this part of my life.
The principal takes the stage as I’m sitting down, squashed between a bunch of mammoth football players, including my actual boyfriend, Ethan “Big Balls” Alexander. Katy sees me and waves excitedly.
I don’t think my face can hold any more happiness than this. I’m about to burst with pride for Katy and everything she’s accomplished so far. She’s really blossoming this year, and I know her mama must be looking down, so proud of her.
I know I’m almost as proud of her myself, and that’s saying something.
When Katy comes up to accept her award, I clutch Ethan’s hand with tears in my eyes. She’s doing so well that I can’t contain all the feelings in my heart, so a few stray tears drip onto my face.
The principal asks Katy if she would like to say anything, and of course she accepts. I cannot imagine a single occasion where Katy would decline the opportunity to talk to everyone about whatever is on her mind at any given moment.
Ethan says she was saving up her words until she turned four because she knew she was going to need all of them once she was seven and a half.
She hates that joke, but I’m not entirely sure that he’s kidding. You can ask her the simplest yes or no question and get an entire book report about whatever is circling around in her brain at that moment.
I’m a little nervous when she takes the microphone and adjusts it to point toward her face. It makes a thick hum of feedback, but Katy doesn’t even react this time.
I nudge Ethan with my elbow. “Did you see that? It was loud and right in her face and she didn’t even flinch.”
He shushes me so he can hear his little girl’s speech.
And let me tell you, it’s nothing short of an Oscar acceptance level speech. First Katy thanks every teacher she’s ever had at this school by name. Specifically, by their first, middle, and last names.
Then she thanks each of her uncles, “especially Uncle Tate who gives the very best good night kisses.” And I swear I watch several of the moms’ underwear spontaneous combust at the mere mention of sexy rock star Donovan Tate in the same sentence as the words “good night kisses.”
It’s never boring being around these guys, that’s for sure.
Then Katy thanks her mom in heaven, and now everyone’s reaching for a tissue because we were not prepared for that level of innocent affection out of nowhere like that.
And finally, Katy looks right at me and Ethan, and says, “That’s it.” Then turns and walks back to her seat and sits down.
My oldest brother, Shane, leans over and whisper-hisses at Ethan. “You just got roasted by a seven-year-old girl. How’s that feel, Big Balls?”
Ethan just shrugs it off. “My kid’s been giving me crap for almost her entire life. She’s a savage, and I wouldn’t want her to be any other way because she’s perfect as is.”
The woman in front of us turns to shush us, and a little bit chastened, we do manage to lower our voices.
“She’s completely perfect,” I murmur at the two of them.
“Damn right,” says Ethan, and we very quietly high five.
My brother snorts. “Get over it. She’s just a kid, you two.”
Ethan smiles at him. “I tell you what—let’s wait about a year or so from now, and see how you feel about all the things your kid is doing.”
