The bar was packed by the time we arrived Saturday night. Vera had promised "small and tasteful," but apparently, her definition differed significantly from mine.
"This is not small," I hissed as we pushed through the crowd.
"Forty people is small. I could have invited hundreds." Vera grabbed my hand, pulling me toward a reserved section decorated with fairy lights and photos from my five years in Seattle. "Besides, everyone wanted to say goodbye."
I recognized faces from the art scene—gallery owners, fellow artists, the barista from my favorite coffee shop. They'd all shown up to send me off, and despite my initial panic, warmth flooded through me.
These people had been my family when I'd had no one else.
"Wren!" My gallery director, Patricia, swept me into a hug. "I still can't beli
