The Paper Trail novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: The Hospital Luncheon

The Women of Courage Luncheon was held every January in the hospital's glass atrium, and I had sat on its board for four years.

Two hundred women in good suits filled round tables under a ceiling of winter light.

Daphne stood at the podium in a cream dress and a pair of new gray heels.

She had a white rose pinned to her lapel, and she was holding a microphone.

I came in through the back and stood by the coat check.

Nobody saw me, so I waited.

"I want to speak today about courage," said Daphne.

Her voice filled the atrium, soft and trembling and perfect.

"Sometimes courage means telling a hard truth about someone you love. A dear friend of mine is going through a terrible time right now."

She paused, and two hundred women leaned in.

"She has lost her way, and her husband is desperate to bring her home. I hope you'll keep Ella in your hearts."

A murmur went through the room.

At table four a woman put her hand to her mouth.

At table six a woman looked up and found me at the back, and nudged her neighbor.

"We are here to hold her," said Daphne. "Not to judge her."

"And I'll say, as her closest friend, that I know she isn't well, because she told me about the affair she's been having since August."

The room went still.

I walked down the center aisle.

I did not hurry, and I did not hide.

The heads turned one by one as I passed their tables.

Daphne saw me.

She faltered for exactly half a second.

"Ella," she said, into the microphone, bright and sorrowful. "Oh, honey. You came."

"I came to thank you," I said. "For the speech."

I stopped at the foot of the stage and took out my phone.

"I have a voicemail," I said to the room. "I'd like to play it, if the board doesn't mind."

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