Great-aunts.
Second cousins.
Family friends.
Nearly seventy people gathered at my parents’ house.
Emily spent almost two weeks preparing.
Not because she wanted to impress anyone.
She simply wanted to look nice.
She finally chose a beautiful cream-colored vintage suit with elegant buttons, tailored perfectly to her frame.
It had originally belonged to her grandmother.
She had restored every stitch herself.
When she looked in the mirror that morning, she smiled softly.
“I think Grandma would have liked seeing me wear this.”
I kissed her forehead.
“I know she would.”
The Gathering Begins
The backyard buzzed with conversation.
Children chased each other across the lawn.
Someone grilled hamburgers.
Music drifted from outdoor speakers.
At first, everything seemed peaceful.
My mother greeted everyone with enthusiastic hugs.
She complimented expensive handbags.
Admired jewelry.
Asked about promotions and new houses.
Then she noticed Emily.
I recognized the expression immediately.
Her polite smile tightened ever so slightly.
She looked Emily up and down.
