Stephanie saw me first.

I watched her painted smile fall off her face and shatter into pure, vicious panic.

She came marching across the lawn toward me, moving fast, and she planted herself squarely in front of the grand entrance as though her body could block what was coming.

“Betty.” She hissed my name, low and razor-edged, for my ears and not the crowd’s.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing here?