He jabbed his index finger toward the glass double doors that opened onto the gravel lot.

“Go sit in your car till the speeches are over,” Daniel said.

“My car stays right where it is, in space seven,” I said.

At two forty-five Margaret came into the hallway with her embroidered clutch.

She stopped next to Daniel, her soft voice breathless as she studied my face.

“What’s going on out here?” Margaret asked, her fingers fixing her silk neck scarf yet again.

“Emily’s making a scene in the hallway right before the board members come out,” Daniel said.