FALLING FOR MY MOM'S FIANCÉ

a

get, making me stand straighter, walk faster. Chloe's heels click against the mar

h mine. "Look at the chandeliers, they've got to be real crystal.

ated with gold handles, red velvet curtains pulled back to reveal flashes of gold and whi

, my voice tight. "You said it was in Brooklyn... th

els? She had to bail on the event tonight. Said I could use her plus-one. Trust me, the drinks here are way better than

ith cold even under the dress. "Chloe. What is thi

k tuxedo passes by with a tray of flutes, and I catch sight of the room beyond... round tables covered in white linen, cente

me. The floor tilts, and I grab t

rby turn their heads-they're dressed in designer gowns and tuxedos, looking at me like I'm

ther, if you met him face to face you'd understand why

o we just pretend Dad isn't at home right now probably eating cereal for dinner because he can't coo

talk about this s

my ribs so hard I swear everyone can hear it. I weave between couples, their laughter and chatter a wall of noise I can't break through, som

I se

Her hair is pulled back in a low bun, and she's laughing, her head tilted back the same way it was in the photo. The man beside her

forehead, lines around his eyes that look like they were carved there by laughter. Even from across the room,

ss catches on the edge of a tablecloth, pulling a crystal wine glass to the floor. It

head

un over and wrap me in her arms. She says something to the man beside

noise fades to a dull hum. His hand drops from my mom's back, his shoulders straightening. Even

ide of the room, me on the other, everyone else fading away u

utting through the silence. "Come here