Chapter 7: The Welcome Party

Lexi texted the invitation herself, from a number I did not know.

It said: Saturday, 8 p.m. Please come. I'll get you through the door.

I did not want to go.

Then I thought of Mrs. Thornquist ordering a twelve-thousand-dollar gown for the girl who had taken my room, and I changed my mind.

My chief of staff delivered the Nightjar dress to the townhouse on Friday, in a garment bag with a hand-written card.

I had stayed up two nights to finish it.

It was dark green silk with a plain neckline and nothing on it to apologize for.

I wanted her to feel good in it.

I did not examine why.

At seven on Saturday I came out of the closet in my one black dress.

Lou stood in the hall in his new gray-lined jacket, with his work boots polished.

Cal stood behind him in a suit I had never seen, too tight across the shoulders.

Sean had borrowed a tie from a man at his restaurant.

"We're coming," Lou said.

"Dad. It's not going to be nice."

"Then you'll need people." He cleared his throat. "I've been in a lot of rooms where nobody wanted me, kid. I'm good at standing in them."

I looked at the three of them.

Since I could walk, I had been shown off to guests in that house.

Never once had anyone come with me.

"Okay," I said. "But you let me talk."

"No promises," Cal said.

The townhouse was lit from the roof to the steps.

A line of black cars sat at the curb, and a man in a white jacket stood at the door with a list.

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