“To dutiful children,” Gerald said, raising his glass high as he turned back to his seat.

“And to knowing who actually earned their place at the table.”

By ten o’clock, the band had stopped playing, and guests were collecting their coats near the side exit doors.

I stood near the coat rack with my navy clutch purse under my left arm.

The narrow hallway was dimly lit by two wall sconces near the emergency exit bar.

Gerald stepped out of the main ballroom corridor, blocking the narrow path to the door.