My Family Told Me Not to Show Up to the Baby Shower—So I Sent a Helicopter Instead

family. When I walked in carrying gifts, my mother hugged me tightly.

“Thank you for coming,” she said.

“Of course. She’s my niece.”

Amber brought baby Sophia over and I held her carefully, this tiny person who carried my name as part of hers.

“She’s perfect,” I said.

“She is,” Amber agreed. “And Claire, thank you. For everything. For the wake-up call we continue reading …