He looked at Margaret.
“I owe you an apology.”
Margaret lifted her eyes.
“I hope you mean that.”
Leonard nodded slowly.
“I do.”
Then he left.
For the next hour, the mansion descended into confusion.
The wedding coordinator calmly informed guests that the ceremony would not proceed.
Some were shocked.
Others had already watched the recording of Claire directing the hose at Margaret.
A few guests approached Noah privately to express their sympathy.
Several offered to give statements confirming what they had witnessed.
Margaret wanted none of the attention.
She sat near the fireplace with a fresh cup of tea and waited for the crowd to disappear.
At last, Noah returned.
He had changed into an ordinary sweater and trousers.
Without the tuxedo, he looked more like the boy she remembered.
“Everyone’s leaving,” he said.
Margaret nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
He sat across from her.
“Mom, please stop apologizing for being here.”
She looked down.
“It’s a habit.”
Noah felt another wave of shame.
He realized how many years she must have spent making herself smaller so he could live a bigger life.
His eyes moved toward the cloth bag.
“What did you bring me?”
Margaret hesitated.
