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Relieved that I could get back to my dinner, I felt Charles’ hand on the back ofan absento say hello to the Nickersons; I’ll be right back,” he whispered

I kissed the air behind him as he sped off to press so us

“Don’t you think you should go with hi as my fiancé sch

“Not particularly Did you try the artichoke soufflé? It’s delicious,” I answered, forking up another bite

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough, dear? That wedding dress barely fits as it is” She signaled for a waiter to remove my plate

I s down my fork with a clatter that earnedat my lips delicately with my napkin, which I refolded and placed squarely in the center of my lap

“Oh, leave her alone, Marjorie, she’s gettingFade,” Dad teased

A snort escaped me, and my mother’s neck turned three shades of red

“Honestly, Thomas, I hardly think it’s appropriate to tease her like that, the night before she gets oodness’ sake, who are these alleged people? Accountants? Pencil pushers?”

“Oh, lighten up! It was a joke, that’s all,”this

Divorced for the last six years after twenty-two years of bickering, et my mother’s back up And she never failed to take the bait

But tonight, she surprised us both by pushing back froo stand with Charles He shouldn’t have to chat up all these guests by hilance as she sailed away Tall and regal and every inch the round,and everyone had everything they needed She was the hostess with theTruth? I wanted more of that sinful artichoke soufflé

I glanced atit across the table toward rinned back, then quickly ate the soufflé