The Photo Said I Must Die novel · Chapter 17 of 24
Chapter 17: The Memorial Table
Dani's POV
Briana's friends arrived at six.
There were nine of them, in two cars, with overnight bags and the kind of faces people wear to a hospital.
She had invited them for the weekend before the ninth, she told the dining room, so I wouldn't be alone.
She said it holding my hand.
The inn's long table had been set for fourteen, with the good plates and a bottle of ordinary red at every elbow.
Judd stood by the kitchen door with a tray and watched me over everyone's heads.
I sat between my sister and a woman from her book club who kept patting my arm.
"We're all here for you," the woman said. "Whatever happens."
"Thank you."
"And afterward, of course, we'll want to do something lovely in your memory."
"Please," said another woman, quietly.
"Well, she's said it herself. They've talked about it." The first woman looked at me with wet, kind eyes. "A little luncheon on the terrace. White flowers. Briana has chosen the music."
I turned my head and looked at Briana.
"It's only a plan," my sister said softly. "In case. I wanted to be ready, so you wouldn't have to be."
Across the table Oliver put down his fork.
He had not eaten anything.
He had been sitting there for twenty minutes with the ring box open in his lap, where only I could see it, and he looked sick.
"Briana," he said.
"Not now, darling."
"Now."
He stood up, and the whole table turned.
"I need to say something to everybody," Oliver said. "I'm sorry. I know it's your weekend with her."
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