“I am so proud of you,” she told me, tears trickling down her cheeks. “You’re the best person I’ve ever known, and I want this for you.” Stroking her thumb over my cheekbone, she whispered, “You warned me a long time ago about this and I accepted it then. I accept it now. This is your future, Johnny, and you are going to chase it.” She kissed me hard before continuing, “And I’m going to stand by you and support you, no matter what, for as long as you want me.”
