So I canceled two oversized flower arrangements planned for the reception and replaced them with smaller ones.
Nobody noticed.
Certainly not Margaret.
Meanwhile, Nathan continued practicing.
He sent me progress reports.
“Twenty-two steps today.”
Another day:
“I went too fast at the turn. I’m doing it again.”
Once, he called Daniel with what he considered a serious logistical emergency.
“What hand do I use?”
Daniel was confused.
“For what?”
“The handshake.”
“Your right hand.”
“But Sarah is on my right.”
Daniel spent several minutes attempting to explain how Nathan could shift positions.
Nathan finally interrupted him.
“I let go of Sarah first.”
Daniel laughed.
“Yes. Exactly.”
“Good,” Nathan replied. “I practiced.”
For illustrative purposes only
Part 4 — The Walk
On the morning of my wedding, I was calmer than I had expected.
At least until Mom brought out Dad’s cufflinks.
She had saved them for Nathan.
The sight of those tiny pieces of metal resting in her palm broke something open inside me.
