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It was a gorgeous Friday night in late August: the opening of the Oyster Days festivities Preparations for the parade and street dance and charity auction had been under way for weeks In years past, Vivi Ann would have been knee-deep in all of it; this year, though, she’dAurora had co sih”

So Vivi Ann was on Main Street with her sisters, going over the final details There were people everywhere, hanging banners, putting up signs, setting up booths, and the police were beginning to block off various streets for Sunday’s parade Down at the end of the street, the band arh the darkness

Vivi Ann had done it all a hundred tirated on her, irritated her The band was too loud, the to-do list too long, and Winona atching her every rass

“What?” Vivi Ann finally snapped at her

“You’re a little testy today,” Winona said “Luke says you never want to talk about the wedding Why is that?”

“Why do ays have to talk about Luke?” Vivi Ann said “I’ plans and I’ Go find yourself a damn boyfriend and leave mine the hell alone”

“Maybe you’re the one who should leave Luke alone”

Aurora was between them in an instant, the referee “We’re in public, you two”

“But Vivi Ann loves to be the center of attention, don’t you, Vivi?” Winona said

Vivi Ann couldn’t take this crap now “Look, Win—”

“No, you look You just take and take and take, and you don’t think about anyone else, do you? You don’t care about anyone except yourself”

“Winona, don’t,” Aurora warned

“Don’t what? Don’t tell Miss Pearl Princess the hard truth?” Winona looked at her “You’re spoiled and you’re selfish and you’re going to break Luke’s heart and you don’t even care And then he won’t be able to love anyone else, because you’ll always be there first” On that, Winona turned on her heel and shoved her way into the crowd, disappearing

The accuracy of Winona’s attack left Vivi Ann shaken “She’s right,” was all she could say when it was over She felt sick to her stomach; ashamed and afraid

“I know she didn’t o talk to her”