Nineteen
MY CONCERN OVER WHAT Nate wants to talk to me about nags at me through Mass and lunch. He seems cheerful enough, and everything seems fine between him and Gladys. I begin to hope it may be something more positive, like he wants to discuss popping the question.
I’m not entirely sanguine about that. In my opinion, they still have a lot of work to do on their relationship before they get engaged.
Anyway, I try to focus on keeping an open mind as we retire to my office after lunch, leaving Helen and Gladys to talk wedding details. Even at this late hour, Gladys is still trying to persuade Helen to wear some kind of vintage 1950s wedding dress she has her heart set on. As I close the door, I hear Helen say, “Gladys, for the last time, I’m not going to stand in front of a church full
