I reached toward her, and she took my free hand.

Stella came beside her.

Charlotte, Violet, and Evelyn followed without turning it into a formation anyone had to perform.

We stood together for a moment while the music continued, and I could not hold back the tears any longer.

I had cried privately for years because I thought privacy would spare them.

Some of that had been useful.

Some of it had taught me to act as though needing support was something that could only happen after everyone slept.

There were six sets of hands around me now.