Chapter 2: Hands Clasped Too Tight
The ballroom didn't get loud again after I said it. That was the weird part. I could hear the chandelier lights humming and I could hear the man in the blue suit breathing.
He was still kneeling in front of me and his hand was still on my shoulder. His eyes were wide and his mouth was open a little like he was going to say my mom's name again but didn't. I held the cloth tighter in both hands. The ring inside it felt warm from where I'd been squeezing it.
The lady in the red dress moved first.
I saw her out of the corner of my eye before she got to us. She had been standing by the wall with her hands together. Now she walked fast but not running, smiling with her lips closed so the people watching would see a smile. Her dress made a soft sound when she moved and her necklace caught the yellow light from the wall sconces every time she stepped.
She got between us so quick I had to take a half step back. She slid her arm around my shoulders and her fingers dug in. Not hard enough that anyone else would notice, but hard enough that I felt my shawl bunch up under her hand. Her smile got tighter.
"Well, isn't this sweet," she said. Her voice was loud enough for the guests. She laughed a little, just a puff of air. "I'm so sorry, darling. You must be lost."
She wasn't looking at me when she said darling. She was looking at him over my head. I could smell her perfume, something sweet and strong, and I could see the little dark blue stones in her necklace right up close. They sparkled when she breathed.
He stood up slowly. He didn't let go of my arm right away. He had to let go so she could hold me but he slid his hand down to my elbow for a second like he didn't want to.
"Vivian," he said, quiet.
She squeezed my shoulder again and turned us a little, toward the side of the room where the golden walls had a door I hadn't seen before. She kept smiling at the people staring.
"We shouldn't do this here," she whispered to him, but I heard it because her mouth was right above my ear. "This is not the place. Look at everyone, Richard. Please."
Her necklace swung forward when she leaned in and the light hit the biggest blue stone and threw a little spot on my sleeve. I stared at that spot while she talked. Her fingers were still tight on me.
Richard didn't move toward that door at first. He looked at the guests, then at me, then back at Vivian. His face was still that shocked color, kind of pale under the warm light. He swallowed.
"No," he said. It wasn't loud but it made Vivian's smile freeze. "Not alone. We're not sending her off with staff."
Vivian's fingers flexed on my shoulder. Her smile twitched but she didn't drop it.
"I wasn't—" she started.
"We'll use the dressing suite," he said. He was talking to her but he was looking at me. "Just off the ballroom. A minute. The three of us."
For a second nobody moved. I could feel people watching us from the tables. Two ladies in black dresses whispered behind their hands. A waiter near the wall held a tray and didn't move. Vivian's eyes flicked to them, then back to Richard. She nodded once, quick and sharp.
"Of course," she said, louder again for the room. "Of course, sweetheart. Let's get you somewhere quiet, honey."
She started walking and pulled me with her. Her hand was heavy on my shoulder steering me. Richard walked on my other side, close enough that his suit jacket brushed my shawl. He didn't touch me again but he stayed right there, so I was between them.
We walked along the edge of the ballroom where the light was less bright. The carpet was soft and made our steps quiet, but I could still feel all the eyes on my back. The golden panels went by and the wall sconces made long shadows. The door she meant was dark wood with a little gold handle, and a lady who worked there stood next to it looking not sure if she should open it.
Vivian didn't wait. She reached past me and pushed it open herself.
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Cool air came out. I could see a hallway behind it, not as fancy, with plain carpet and a light that was whiter. I still had both hands wrapped around the cloth and the ring. I held it to my chest so it wouldn't slip while she steered me forward.
Richard put his hand lightly on the door frame to hold it as we went through, and I saw him glance back once at the ballroom before he followed us in.
