Here With Us (The Archer Brothers)

I clear my throat and hold the microphone close to my mouth like the DJ told me to. In my other hand is my speech. Claire helped me type it and showed me how to make the letters really big, so I don’t lose my place. She’s a good friend.

“Hi, I’m EJ which stands for Evan Archer Junior and I’m the best man. My friends call me EJ.”

Everyone laughs, but not in the way that they’re making fun of me. I look at my mom—she’s beautiful. I see her wink and that makes me smile.

“When Evan asked me to be his best man, I didn’t know what that meant until my papa told me. He said it’s my job to give a speech, so here it goes.” I set the microphone down so I can flip the page over. My papa comes and stands next to me and holds the microphone, so I don’t have too. “Thanks, Papa.”

“Ryley is my mom and I love her. I know I don’t tell her every day, but I think she’s the best mom in the whole world and loves me with her whole heart. I love her with mine too and never want to see her sad. Evan is my dad.” I don’t know why, but a noise causes me to look up and I see my dad wiping something off his face. “I am lucky to have a dad like him. For a long time, I didn’t know him but since he came home, he’s taught me how to fish, throw a football, how to swim and tread water like a SEAL, which is funny because sometimes I look like I’m just standing in the water.”

Everyone laughs because I made a joke.

“I love my parents and am happy they got married, even though we already live together. A kid at school says everything changes but not in our house. I think the only thing that could make our family better is another dog.”

Everyone laughs again, even my papa.

I flip to the last page and take a deep breath. “Thank you, Evan, for making my mom happy. I’m really happy that you’re my dad and that you got to come home to us. I know my mom is really happy too. I love you both, but mostly I want to say I love you, Dad, because I don’t say it enough.”

Everyone claps, but my dad. He’s walking toward me and when he reaches me, I see that he’s been crying. He picks me up and holds me to his chest. “This was the best damn speech I have ever heard in my life,” he says. “I love you so much, EJ.”

“I love you too, Dad.”