Gavin let Sophia lead him into the room, into the noise, into all the people congratulating them, hugging him, hugging her, kissing, saying how beautiful she looked, how handsome he was, what a nice couple they were, until the words blurred into a jumble and Gavin just hoped he nodded and said yes at the right places. After having Sophia stuff cake in his mouth as he stuffed some into hers, and smiling into the camera flashes, Gavin whispered he had to go the bathroom, and left her with her mother, her sister, her college roommate, and two old friends from high school.
The bathroom was outside Ballroom A and down a long hall that looked out into an inner garden courtyard, decorated with a rock walk and a stone bench. Gavin stopped to look on his way back. He knew it was too cold to serve
