Chapter 2 - We left before dessert Cordelia’s first answer was not an answer.
“It wasn’t like that.”
Alaric looked at the seating chart again.
Bram’s original name remained faintly visible beneath the strip.
Seat six.
Between me and his cousin William.
Exactly where Helena had placed him two weeks earlier when she emailed us the final plan.
The replacement location was labeled:
Service side — attendant access.
No attendant had been assigned to Bram.
He did not need one.
Alaric asked:
“Who moved this?”
Cordelia’s eyes went to Sabine.
Sabine said:
“She did.”
“Sabine,” Cordelia snapped.
“I watched you.”
“You watched me correct a logistical issue.”
“What issue?”
Cordelia pointed toward Bram’s chair.
“That.”
I stood.
Bram’s hand closed around mine.
Alaric’s voice lowered.
“Do not point at my son like he is an obstruction.”
Several guests were pretending not to listen.
Nobody was convincing.
Helena appeared near the edge of the crowd.
Still in her wedding gown.
My stomach dropped.
This was her wedding.
Whatever Cordelia had done, I did not want Helena’s night turning into a public trial.
I told Alaric:
“We’re leaving.”
He looked at me.
I glanced at Bram.
He understood.
Cordelia said:
“So now you’re going to punish Helena.”
Helena answered before I could.
“No.”
Everyone turned.
My sister-in-law walked toward us.
Her veil had already been removed.
One hand held the skirt of her gown.
“Mom, stop.”
“This has nothing to do with you.”
“It is literally my wedding.”
Cordelia closed her mouth.
Helena looked at Bram.
“Buddy, did Grandma tell you to sit behind the tent?”
Bram nodded.
Helena’s face changed.
Then she looked at me.
“Go home if he wants to.”
I asked Bram:
“Do you want to stay?”
He whispered:
“No.”
Decision made.
Alaric picked up my small purse and Bram’s backpack.
I pushed Bram only after asking:
“Want help?”
“Yes.”
We left through the garden gate.
Behind us, the quartet eventually started playing again.
The reception continued.
People ate cake.
Someone danced.
May you like
Helena married the man she loved.
Life has an insulting capacity to continue while your own family rearranges itself.
