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We e outdoor spread of tables set in front of a great stage that’s been erected in the yard

It’s a stage that Jimmy and I were supposed to perform on

Right now, it appearson it instead A Mozart piece, I think I’m not sure

My heart groice as heavy as it was before, just looking at that stage

“You okay, sweetheart?” asks my ma

I’e and the scattered guests sitting and walking a while the orchestra pours over their ears “Yeah, I’m fine,” I say emptily, my eyes as blank as pools

I follow my parents to a table of catered T&S sweets where, at one end of it, we run into Nadine Strong herself The tall wohtest, most-rehearsed smile in the world as she talks to Mrs Cissy McPherson, both of theowns that look worth a whole semester of tuition for me

The tolasses of white wine dangling froers e approach

It is clear that Nadine has done a lot of speaking into ht, since it was originally supposed to be at the Strong ranch, after all

“Oh, soShe then presents reets us and thanks us for co Some more pleasantries are made before Mrs McPherson is pulled suddenly to attend to soy and a sweet-voiced goodbye to us

When the woht off of Nadine’s face, and she looks relieved at once “Oh, a us “Soly, nervous, uncharacteristic laugh “Oh, have y’all seen the art yet? The paintings, they’re just beautiful!”

My ma’s voice is just as buttery and soft as it always is “Are you doing alright, Nadine? We haven’t spoken since … oh, was it church last week?”

“I think it was! And I’m just peachy, thanks for askin’, doll”

My parents are approached by some friends from church, and their attention is stolen aith another conversation, leaving ether