Chapter 19: Witnesses

Susanna's POV

Dinner was fried chicken, green beans, and Stanley's best napkins.

Nobody mentioned the noise from upstairs.

Mom had set the table for four and put me beside Justin, with our knees close under it.

Stanley stood up before the chicken was passed.

He had his whistle around his neck again, and he blew it once, short.

"Quiet," he said. "I have an announcement."

"Stanley, sit down," said Mom. "We said we'd wait for dessert."

"I can't wait for dessert. I'm fifty-eight."

He turned to us with both hands on the back of his chair.

"Carol and I picked a date," he said. "Three Saturdays from now, in the yard. We've already told the minister and the florist."

"You told the florist first?" said Justin.

"The florist was the hard one."

I squeezed Justin's knee.

"We'd like you both to stand up with us," Mom said. "As our witnesses. You'll sign the paper and say a few words."

"A few words," I said. "From me?"

"You're the maid of honor. You're going to have to say something, baby."

"I'd say yes anyway," I said, and my eyes stung.

"I'd be honored, Carol," Justin said.

Mom looked at him over her fork.

"You can call me Carol until I'm used to it," she said. "After that I'll let you know."

It was the nicest thing she had ever said to him.

He put his napkin to his mouth so nobody would see his face.

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