That Friday, at the senior golf club, the banquet hall glowed with white tablecloths and soft music.
Walter saw us and went pale.
He hurried over. “What are you doing here?”
“I came for the award.”
“You weren’t invited.”
“I was married to the honoree for fifty years. I think that counts.”
Marcy blinked. “Walter said you two had an understanding.”
I looked at her. “Walter had many understandings. Most benefited Walter.”
“Sylvie,” Walter whispered, “not here.”
“Funny. That’s what you said when I asked why you were leaving.”
His face tightened. “I made sure you were taken care of.”
Chanel stepped closer. “Dad, don’t.”
“No,” I said. “Let him finish.”
“Dad, don’t.”
Walter swallowed. “I did what I could.”
“You made sure you could sleep at night.”
The announcer called his name.
Walter took the podium. “Everything I built, I built because of family.”
