Chapter 15: The Laundry List

Helen's Foundation luncheon had fourteen women, one long table and a lemon tart.

I came early, because I had a plan, and the plan was to win.

For three days I had been second in every room of that house.

Today I would sit at the head of the table and say the first word.

I stood behind the head chair for four minutes with my hands on its back.

"Sit," said my mother, who had come as my guest and brought her own cardigan.

"I'm working up to it."

"It's a chair."

"It's the first chair."

My mother looked at me for a long moment.

"Since when are you like this?"

"Since tenth grade."

"Hm," said my mother, and took the chair on my left.

The women arrived in pearls, and Helen took her seat halfway down the table, and the head chair stayed empty.

I sat beside Helen. It is where I sit.

Then Bree swept in with a stack of laminated cards and put one at every place.

I turned mine over.

It said, in curly print: Questions for the Bride. Please read your question aloud, in order.

Each card had a number, and mine had none, because I was not supposed to be asking.

"I hope nobody minds," Bree said. "I wanted everyone to feel included."

Helen looked at the card, and at her friends, and I saw her decide to let it run.

"Would anyone like to say a few words to start us off?" she asked.

This was my moment. I had it ready.

I opened my mouth, and nothing came out, because nobody had asked me yet.

"I will!" said Bree, and stood.

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