Chapter 1 - Absolutely Not
The flower basket struck the stone aisle, and rose petals scattered beneath my daughter’s white shoes.
Vanessa lunged toward her.
Her hand swung once before I could reach them.
The slap cracked across Lily’s face.
My nine-year-old daughter stumbled backward, her pearl hair clip coming loose as she burst into tears.
“She ruined everything!” Vanessa screamed.
When my sister raised her hand a second time, I caught her wrist in midair.
I pulled it away from Lily with enough force to make Vanessa stumble half a step.
Then I moved between them.
“Touch her again.”
My voice was quiet.
That frightened Vanessa more than shouting would have.
She pointed around me at Lily.
“She destroyed my wedding photos!”
Behind us, guests stood frozen beneath the rose-covered arch. The photographer had lowered his camera. Grant, Vanessa’s new husband, stared at her as if he had never seen her face without a smile prepared for it.
Lily clutched the back of my ivory blazer.
My mother rushed toward us.
She did not check Lily’s cheek.
She grabbed my forearm and glanced anxiously at the watching guests.
“Emily, apologize and stop making a scene.”
My father remained behind her, uncomfortable but silent.
I looked down at Lily.
Her small shoulders shook.
Then I removed my mother’s hand from my arm one finger at a time.
I picked up the overturned basket and placed it back into Lily’s hands.
“Absolutely not.”
Vanessa stepped into our path.
I stopped inches from her.
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then her expression changed.
The guests were no longer looking at Lily.
They were looking at Vanessa.
Grant’s face had hardened.
The photographer slowly raised his camera again.
I took my daughter’s hand and walked out.
May you like
Before we reached the hotel doors, I heard Grant say:
“Vanessa, what did you just do?”
