Chapter 17 — At the Microphone

I took Hannah’s hand, and together we walked past Brenda toward the small microphone set up under the arbor.

The music cut off abruptly as the coordinator finally read the room and signaled the technician.

“Thank you all so much for coming out here today,” I said, and my voice carried across the quiet lawn.

“But I need to tell you that the wedding will not be taking place.” A confused murmur rippled through the rows, people turning to one another, uncertain.

Brenda came hurrying up the wooden steps of the terrace, trying to reach the microphone herself, hissing at me to stop, not to blurt out private things without context.