My mother turned to the guests. “Please sit down. There’s been a misunderstanding, and I would appreciate it if everyone would allow the family some dignity.”
Nobody sat. A woman I knew from my parents’ country club looked at the glass in her hand and put it on the table.
Nadia’s fingers moved under Theo’s palm. He leaned close.
“Mommy?”
Her eyelids fluttered, then opened. She tried to raise her head. I put my hand near her shoulder without touching her.
“Don’t move yet,” I said. “The ambulance is here.”
Her gaze found mine. For a second she stared as if she had to work out where she was. Then she saw Theo.
“I told you to wait with Mrs. Alvarez,” she whispered.
“I did. Then she came inside.”
Nadia reached for him, moving slowly. Her fingers caught his wrist. Theo pressed his cheek against her hand.
My mother came around the table. “Nadia, you need to explain what you’re doing.”
Nadia looked up at her and pulled Theo closer.
“Step back,” I told my mother.
“This is my event.”
“Step back.”
She stopped, but she didn’t move away.
The paramedics came through the doors with Peter leading them….
