I simply refused to let our first portrait as husband and wife become another negotiation about Vanessa.

Behind us, the reception doors opened, and my sister emerged with her phone held high.

PART 4

Vanessa was talking loudly enough for three tables to hear.

“I’m just saying, a decent daughter would never humiliate her parents this way.”

I didn’t move toward her.

I had learned that confronting Vanessa in front of an audience was like pouring water on a grease fire.

Instead, I asked Elise to take the photograph of Marcus, Frank, Helen, and me.