Chapter 19: The Gala

The Caldecott anniversary gala was held in the ballroom of the old Grand Hotel on the waterfront, and Matilda walked in alone.

She wore the blue dress, with Dot's stitches under the slit where nobody would see them.

Three hundred people stood under chandeliers with champagne in their hands.

A press line had been roped off at the foot of the stairs, and every photographer in it turned when she came through the doors.

She did not smile for them.

She looked once across the whole long room, over the heads and the glasses, to the sound desk at the back.

Eli stood behind it in a dark suit, with a black case at his feet.

He did not wave, and he did not come toward her.

He only looked at her, and he went on looking, as though he had nothing else to do for the rest of the night.

Her face went warm, and she turned away before anyone could see.

"Tillie."

Zach had come through the crowd with his hand already out.

He was beautifully shaved and wearing a new tuxedo, and his eyes were bright and sorry.

"You came," he said. "You look wonderful. I knew you would."

"Do you have the release?"

"On the lectern. Mother's signing it herself, in front of everyone. Tillie, thank you, I won't forget this."

"Where's Cora?"

"Not here." He lowered his voice. "I ended it, like I said."

Matilda looked at him.

He had a small red scratch on his jaw that a razor had not made.

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