The Day I Said No!

was a mandatory event. My parents, a doctor and a lawyer often traveling for work, we

reated me like a daughter. The thought of seeing them was the only thing that made

ack dress. No flash, no dram

s of Boulder' s elite mingling under a massive tent

"I' m so glad you came. We' ve been so worried. Wh

She knew the history, the years of me

, Mrs. Haye

f the auction-a large, gaudy bronze sculpture of a bucking horse. It

and Brooke were sta

my path. I sidestepped to avoid her, but my elbow bumped a waiter' s tray. A full glass of red w

A collective gasp w

"knocked into" the pedestal holding the sculpture. The bronze horse wobbled,

le

d a trembling, ban

pose! You couldn' t stand to see me happy, so you had to ruin this! That scul

s full of accusation. I was the cold-hearted fr

s side, dabbing at her e

o," she said, her voice dripping with fa

like I was pathe

, his face inches from mine. "You' re going

n, no!" She stumbled again, this time towar

al piece of th

king through the stunned silence of the gala.

not only a vindictive saboteur, bu