The Invitation
Chapter 19 - The Invitation
Almost one year after Lucy walked into my life, an invitation arrived.
The Justice Foundation wanted me to attend the annual gala.
The same ballroom.
The same chandeliers.
I almost declined.
Caroline read the invitation.
"You have to go."
"No."
"Yes."
"Absolutely not."
She smiled.
"Are you afraid of a ballroom?"
"I'm afraid of rich people asking stupid questions."
"You've handled worse."
Lucy appeared from the hallway.
"Can I come?"
I looked at her.
She was taller now.
Happier.
The shadows beneath her eyes were gone.
"Do you want to?"
She nodded.
So we went together.
When the ballroom doors opened, I stopped.
For one second, I could see the past.
A child on the marble floor.
A gray handbag.
A blanket.
A photograph.
My husband walking toward me.
My entire life about to fall apart.
Then Lucy slipped her hand into mine.
"Are you okay?"
I looked down at her.
"Yes."
And for once, it was true.
Caroline walked on my other side.
People turned toward us.
Some whispered.
A year earlier, that would have bothered me.
Now I barely noticed.
I had spent half my life worrying about what rooms full of strangers thought of me.
The two people beside me mattered more.
The foundation president approached.
"We'd like you to say a few words."
I hadn't prepared anything.
But when I stepped onto the stage, I knew exactly what I wanted to say.
Because this time, the most important person in the ballroom wasn't standing behind the microphone.
May you like
She was sitting in the front row.
Wearing a white dress.
