“You are not a guest,” Gerald said.

He tapped his signet ring against the rim of his empty glass.

“You’re an embarrassment sitting on an addendum sheet.

Get back inside before someone recognizes you.”

“I am staying right here,” I said.

Gerald turned his back to me and motioned to the bartender for another drink.

At seven thirty, the heavy oak doors opened into the main dining room.

Waiters in black vests carried silver trays across the floor while guests found their assigned seats under the brass chandeliers.