He said he would lose the caterer and embarrass Kelsey in front of her family.
He asked me not to tell anyone because he wanted them to think he had handled it.”
Dean read the invoice again.
“Fifty-three thousand dollars.”
“Plus the tasting, the linen upgrade, and the refrigeration surcharge.”
He looked ashamed.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did.
You said, ‘If you can help, it would mean a lot.’ Then your mother called and you left the room.”
Dean lowered his eyes.
At 8:10 the next morning, Diane’s car pulled into their driveway, followed by Logan’s truck and Kelsey’s white SUV.
Holly had expected them.
She had already dressed Alex for school and packed her purple lunch box.
Before leaving, Alex paused near the front door.
“Do I have to go to the wedding?”
“No.”
“Even if they want me again?”
Holly knelt and adjusted the silver star on her glasses.
“You never have to perform for people who made you feel ashamed of your face.”
Alex considered that solemnly, then hugged her.
Dean drove her to school.
The moment his car disappeared, Diane walked into the house without knocking.
“Where is she?” she demanded.
“At school.”
“Good.
Adults need to speak without a child listening at doors.”
Holly stepped between Diane and the kitchen.
“You will not blame Alex for hearing what you said in the same room where you said it.”
Logan entered behind his mother, red-eyed and unshaven.
Kelsey followed with her phone clutched in one hand.
Graham came last, closing the door quietly as if good manners could disguise the invasion.
Diane placed a folder on the table.
“We have decided Alex can remain flower girl.”
Holly did not touch the folder.
“No.”
Kelsey stared at her.
“What do you mean, no? You wanted her included.”
“Yesterday, she wanted to be included.
Today, she does not feel safe with you.”
“She’s six.
She’ll do what she’s told.”
Dean had returned through the side door in time to hear that sentence.
“No,” he said.
Everyone turned.
His voice was not loud, but Holly had never heard him use that tone with his family.
“Alex is not going,” he continued.
“Not as flower girl.
Not as a guest.”
Diane’s face hardened.
“You are allowing Holly to poison your daughter against us.”
“You removed her because she wears glasses.”
“We reconsidered.”
“Because the catering disappeared.”
Logan slammed his palm against the table.
“Can we stop pretending this is about a kid’s feelings? My wedding is in five days.”
