She had seen it.
Her face did not crumple.
She did not ask why.
She did not turn to me and wait for me to fix it.
Instead, she reached toward the tiny purse Travis had given her.
Her fingers disappeared inside.
When they came back out, both hands were wrapped around the red velvet box.
That was the moment the balance in the room changed, although Lorraine had not realized it yet.
The day before, Zia had been forced to accept an insulting gift while every adult around her calculated how much conflict they were willing to create on Christmas morning.
Now the choice belonged to her.
She pushed back her chair and stood.
The gold dress was wrinkled from the day before, but there was something almost formal about the way she crossed the dining room holding that little box.
Every aunt, uncle, cousin, and in-law watched her walk toward Lorraine.
