“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t.”
She looked at me.
“I’m thinking Emma hasn’t eaten half her dinner because she keeps dealing with Dad’s wife.”
“Emma can speak for herself.”
Sophie stared at me.
“Can she?”
That annoyed me.
“Of course she can.”
Sophie didn’t argue.
She simply looked toward the head table.
Emma was smiling at something Tom had said.
Calm.
Polite.
Gracious.
Just like she had been at every family gathering for years.
Every birthday.
Every graduation.
Every Christmas.
Every event after the divorce.
I had always been proud of her for that.
Emma was mature.
Easygoing.
Thoughtful.
Before every family gathering, she sent little messages.
“Dinner starts at six, Mom.”
“Dad will be there too.”
“Sophie, please don’t start anything.”
“Dad, Uncle Daniel is coming. Please be nice.”
I had always assumed that was simply Emma’s personality.
At twenty-five, she could walk into a room containing both divorced parents and somehow keep everyone calm.
What I had never asked myself was why she had become so good at it.
The speeches began after dinner.
Michael’s father spoke.
Then the best man.
Then Sophie.
I spent her entire toast waiting for something to go wrong.
Nothing did.
She told stories about sharing a bedroom with Emma.
Stealing her sweaters.
Calling her from college whenever she felt homesick.
She made us laugh.
She made Emma cry.
Then she sat down.
I actually relaxed.
Maybe she had listened to me.
Maybe the rest of the night would be peaceful.
I was wrong.
After the cake was cut and Emma and Michael finished their first dance, the DJ picked up his microphone.
“And now we’d like to invite the bride and her father to the dance floor.”
Tom stood.
Emma stood too.
Then—
“Wait.”
Sophie’s voice came through the speakers.
Every person in the ballroom turned.
She was standing beside the DJ.
Holding the microphone.
Emma froze.
“Sophie,” I said.
Too late.
“Before they do this, there’s something everyone should know.”
Tom’s expression changed instantly.
“Put the microphone down.”
Sophie ignored him.
“Emma originally asked Uncle Daniel to join this dance halfway through.”
A murmur moved through the room.
Daniel stared at her.
