The night air was thick with the smell of grilled meat, and woodsmoke, and the heavy scent of blooming lilies. It was a backyard party, the kind where the music is just a bit too loud and the drinks flow a bit too fast. Lanterns hung from the trees, casting long, dancing shadows across the space.
Greg sat at the head of the long wooden table. Sarah his wife sat a few chairs down, laughing with her sisters.
Vicky walked into the light. She wore a sundress that was almost white. She looked around, her eyes landing on the crowded table.
"Mom, there’s no place for me to sit," Vicky said, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. She sounded like a disappointed child.
Sarah looked up, her face flushed from the wine. "Oh, honey, you're right. It’s so packed. Why don't you go let your daddy
