Then someone in the highest row stood.
A second person followed.
Then another.
Within seconds, entire sections of the bleachers were rising.
People who had known my father for decades stood applauding.
Parents on the visiting side joined them.
Even the opposing volleyball team began clapping.
Soon, nearly everyone in the gym was on their feet.
I covered my mouth.
Tears blurred my vision.
But Dad didn’t seem to notice the attention.
He kept his eyes on the floor, concentrating on each careful step.
Kaylee held his arm proudly.
Then I noticed movement beside me.
Travis had stood.
At first, I assumed he was simply joining the applause.
But his hands remained at his sides.
He was staring toward the court.
His jaw tightened.
Then he reached for the railing and stepped down from the bleachers.
My heart began racing.
There were four steps between our seats and the gym floor.
