Chapter 10: The Congratulations Dinner

The Black Duck Grill had a long table by the window, set for eight.

There was a flower arrangement in the middle with a little flag stuck in it, crimson, with the Harvard shield.

My mother had ordered the flag.

I knew because she was standing next to it, patting it straight, when Aunt Jo and I walked in at six.

Mom saw me first.

Her whole face opened with relief, and then she saw who was behind me, and it closed again.

"Jo," she said. "I didn't know you were coming."

"I wasn't invited." My aunt pulled out a chair and sat in it. "I invited myself. Delaney's my guest."

Dad looked at me across the table.

He looked tired, and a little ashamed, and under that, hopeful.

"Laney. You came."

"I came."

Holden's parents were already seated at the far end.

His father had a leather folder in front of him, and his mother wore the pearl earrings she saves for graduations.

Holden sat between them, and Camille sat across, in a cream dress with her hair curled.

She smiled at me with great gentleness.

"I'm so glad you're here," she said. "I really am."

Dinner started the way I had known it would.

There were bread baskets and clinking glasses, and Holden's father made the first toast, standing, with his napkin tucked into his belt.

"To Camille and Holden," he said. "The pride of this town. Harvard doesn't take just anyone. It takes the best."

"Hear, hear," said my father.

"We always knew this kid had something," said Holden's father, and he clapped Holden on the shoulder.

Holden smiled modestly at his bread plate, the way he had been taught.

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