Chapter 10 — The Smile That Vanished

Brenda was near the entrance to the garden when we came out, the photographer crouched at her feet adjusting the long edge of her veil.

She was radiant in a bright ivory gown, a tight bundle of white roses in her hands, smiling warmly at the guests settling into their chairs on the lawn.

It was, I have to admit, a beautiful picture.

And it held for exactly as long as it took her to see my daughter’s hand clasped tightly in mine.