DAY 16. AT SEA. AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
Thomas wanted to excuse himself from the formal dinner. He rehearsed his justifications nervously, imagining Genevieve was there to hear them. He has never entered the dining room, but if the chairs have arms, he knows they won’t fit him. He will be mortified, and the waiters will have to bring a different chair, to his and everyone else’s embarrassment. He won’t enjoy the food. He is sure it will be fussy and pretentious. People will stare at him as he eats. Worse, Martin will be there, and he doesn’t know how to talk to his brother after discovering he kept Patricia and her letter from him, or even if he wants to talk to him. He doesn’t know what kind of relationship he can have with Martin. His friendship with Genevieve has been an unexpected gift
