The silence between us stretched out while a brass band began setting up on the far side of the room.

A snare drum rattled sharply over the noise of the crowd.

“We should get some air,” Richard said.

He turned and walked toward the heavy glass doors leading to the courtyard.

Linda and Allison followed him without another word.

I handed my cup to Sarah.

“Give me two minutes,” I said.

I followed my biological family out through the glass doors.