It no longer meant defending whoever had known me the longest.

It meant noticing who could be trusted with my vulnerability.

When the applause ended, Dad stood abruptly.

The scrape of his chair carried across the room.

He lifted one hand toward the bandleader, who looked uncertainly at Ruth.

“I’d like to say a few words as the bride’s father,” Dad announced.

No one answered immediately.

Some guests turned toward me.