My ex-husband’s fiancée turned back to the mirror.
“The ceremony starts soon. I’d suggest you take your seat.”
I walked away because if I stayed, I would say something Hazel would have to carry.
“We stayed decent to each other.”
***
Back in the side room, Hazel was standing by the window, her sleeves dangling past her fingertips. She looked up at me with those hopeful brown eyes, and my chest ached.
“Where’s Grandpa Sam?” she asked.
I froze. I hadn’t even noticed that he hadn’t returned.
“I… I don’t know, baby.”
“He left and didn’t come back.”
My chest ached.
I checked the hallway and the sanctuary.
Grandpa Sam’s seat in the front row was empty. His coat was gone from the rack.
“Maybe he needed some air,” I said, though I didn’t believe it.
Hazel’s face fell just a little.
“He looked so sad when he saw me.”
