Julia
A hushed whisper subdued the conversations from the first floor. My mother's announcement of our engagement had no doubt skirted from person to person much as the game of telephone from long ago. As with the game, I couldn't help wondering about the complete accuracy of what was being whispered.
The guests turned our direction as Van and I descended the staircase.
“I was wrong earlier, gorgeous. This is your grand entrance."
Basking in his gaze, I lifted my chin as together we took the first step.
With Van's hand on my lower back, all the concerns I'd entertained about attending this party melted away. I wasn't a little girl or even my dad's little girl. I also wasn't marrying to fulfill a clause of my grandfather's will or to secure the McGrath-Butler connection.
With each
