It wasn't such a horrible way to live. It was far better than the alternative of being completely by herself. She knew she had missed her chance to have a happy family after her daughter was taken and her husband died.
Joy wasn't alone. That had to be enough.
She did her best not to give in to the despair that threatened to consume her and convinced Derek to wear a red shirt since everyone was wearing red, white, and blue for the barbecue. She wore a blue and white polka-dotted dress.
They were all doing it for the pictures. Hunter wore a red, white, and blue checkered shirt with blue shorts while Gwen's blouse was blue and white checkered with white shorts. Noelle wore a red and white striped t-shirt with jean shorts while Perry wore a blue t-shirt with khaki shorts. Elsie was in an adorable Fourth of July onesie with a blue bow on her head. Perry's dad had been persuaded to come along too and he was wearing an Old Navy flag shirt.
