Chapter 4 - The Children’s Table
Sophie arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early.
Carol stood beside a wall of white flowers, greeting relatives in a new blue-and-black blouse. On the long adults’ table sat several bottles of imported wine.
Carol looked Sophie up and down.
“You wore jeans?”
“You told me the dinner was casual.”
Carol smiled at an approaching guest.
“Try not to make tonight about you.”
Sophie examined the place cards.
Every adult had a seat at the long table except her.
Her name had been written in blue crayon on a folded piece of paper at the small table near the service entrance.
There were no children at the dinner.
For a moment, Sophie could not breathe.
Carol touched her elbow.
“Someone has to sit there.”
“There are empty chairs at the main table.”
“They’re for the adults.”
“I am thirty-two.”
“Then stop behaving like a difficult teenager.”
Evan stood nearby, staring at the floor.
“You knew about this?” Sophie asked.
“It’s only a seat.”
“No. It’s a message.”
Carol leaned closer.
“If you make a scene, everyone will finally understand why your marriage failed.”
The words struck exactly where Carol intended.
Sophie’s ex-husband had criticized her in private while charming her family in public. When she finally ended the marriage, Carol had complained more about the canceled anniversary party than about the betrayal Sophie had endured.
Aunt Paula had heard Carol’s insult.
So had Uncle Dennis.
Neither said anything.
Sophie sat at the small table.
Servers brought the adults steak, lobster, appetizers, and wine. Sophie received fries and a soft drink because Carol had assigned the children’s menu to her place.
The relatives ate in embarrassed silence while Carol gave a cheerful speech about family loyalty.
By dessert, Sophie understood the truth.
May you like
Most of them had not created the scheme.
But all of them had accepted it because they believed Sophie would eventually pay.
