TRUTH IN THE ASHES

ue. It was stunning-elegant, beautifully arranged. It felt lik

e entrance as guests strol

id staff warm

be a beau

in hall our hands clutched together as we chatted and laughed. The official announcement for the

Cathy asked, nudging me. "You l

yes narrowing slightly. "Or

Him. Yeah... he i

ooked back-but the man was gone. I scanned the groups, looking for him, but he had vanished. I wondered if

haughty laughter, glasses c

she wa

nn

ment, everyt

ly radiant. Heads turned. Conv

to look this bea

and out of place. But I couldn't. I couldn't let people see us side by sid

eauty, her figure, her dress... she looked flawless. And I felt small. Cathy wa

probably pretending to be lost, trying to get attenti

ngaged in a story someone was telling. But I overheard

eart

nto coming tonight?

speak for long before he left her side. I tried not to react, to remain compose

s final

m. She seems to be bored. I was about to join her when su

was

or her, but out of curiosity. I wanted to meet him.

smiling

, fond

use herself, to go. She had already stolen the spotlight. Couldn't she

ar. She froze. Then she quietly

ght. But what d

dy to make a conversation as he waited

"I just returned from overseas a few weeks ago," I replied with a warm smile. Eyes from nearby tables ha

uickly offered to help him clean the st

little sister. Tannie was t

ize it, she had already sh