Two Years Before
I pushed through the door of Bel Poisson and instantly regretted my agreement to the entire evening.
I could see Lee standing at the far end of the restaurant, glass of wine in hand, entertaining everyone at the table with what was sure to be one of his theatre stories. Weren’t they always?
The table broke into laughter, and I knew I had been correct.
I slowed my approach, fiddling with the sleeves of my sweater, too large now after my hospital stay. I hadn’t wanted to come out at all, but Lee had been insistent that out was exactly where I needed to be. Of course, Lee wasn’t the one turning thirty, newly out of the hospital and looking like death warmed over.
“The birthday boy has arrived!”
I forced a smile when the table erupted in applause at Lee’s announcement, a
