Chapter 24: The Front Door

A year later, on a Saturday in September, I came to Shanahan Hall two hours early.

I came through the front.

The brass bell rang over the door, and the foyer smelled of roses and floor polish and Dot's chicken soup.

My new suit was gray, the same cut as the one I had ruined in the alley.

Hazel had picked it out.

"Because you looked good in the first one," she said, "and I'd like it to have a better day."

Ned was already in the foyer, in a green cardigan under his jacket, wearing the best man's flower upside down.

"You're early," he said.

"I'm always early."

"I know. It's a character flaw." He turned the flower over.

"Linden stand-up is Monday at ten, Mr. Lead Architect. They moved your desk next to the window."

"I'll be there."

"They put your name on the Harbor wall, too. In metal letters."

"Good."

Dot came out of the kitchen in a lilac dress and her cardigan.

The tape measure was in the pocket, as always.

She looked me over from my shoes up.

"You're not too thin anymore," she said.

"No, ma'am."

"That's my soup."

"Yes, ma'am."

She straightened my tie.

Her hands were not quite steady, and she did not say anything about it.

At three o'clock the garden room was full of folding chairs and lavender.

There were fifty guests, which was Hazel's number.

Hazel had said that she wanted every person in the room to be someone she would see again.

Keep reading free with an account. Start Forgotten Groom in the Back Alley from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.