Chapter 4 - A Seat at the Small Table
The anniversary planning meetings were held every Sunday at Savannah’s parents’ home.
Elaine chose the flowers. Charles approved the catering menu. Nolan contributed opinions without offering money.
Savannah handled everything else.
Two weeks before the party, Elaine showed her the seating plan.
Savannah’s name appeared at a small table near the kitchen entrance, beside the photographer and two distant cousins.
“Why am I not sitting with the family?” Savannah asked.
Elaine barely glanced up.
“The main table only seats twelve.”
“Nolan’s girlfriend is at the main table.”
“They have been together almost a year.”
“I’m your daughter.”
Elaine sighed. “Do not make this difficult.”
Savannah studied the seating chart again.
Nolan’s girlfriend had attended three family events. Savannah had paid for the entire anniversary celebration, yet she had been placed near the kitchen like hired staff.
Charles entered carrying a box of decorations.
“What is the problem?”
“Savannah is upset about the seating,” Elaine said.
Charles frowned. “It is only dinner.”
“Then Nolan can sit at the smaller table,” Savannah replied.
Silence filled the room.
Elaine looked offended. Charles appeared confused that Savannah had suggested such a thing.
“Nolan is giving the main speech,” Elaine said.
Savannah turned toward her brother. “You are?”
Nolan smiled. “Dad asked me.”
Savannah had spent weeks collecting photographs, interviewing family friends, and preparing a video tribute. No one had asked her to speak.
She folded the seating plan and placed it on the table.
“Of course,” she said quietly.
That evening, Savannah sat alone in her car for nearly twenty minutes.
She thought about Maya’s question.
How long was she willing to disappear?
May you like
Savannah still did not have an answer.
But for the first time, she recognized that disappearing was exactly what she had been doing.
