Richard stopped laughing.
“Jessica told me you preferred not to come.”
“That isn’t true.”
“I’ll speak to her.”
“Please don’t force Daniel to invite me,” I said. “I don’t want to sit somewhere I’m not wanted.”
“What do you want, then?”
I looked at the photograph.
“I want your daughter to know who I am to you.”
Richard promised to speak to Jessica that evening.
After our call, I contacted a party entertainment company.
“I need a six-foot gift box,” I told the woman. “Gold wrapping, red bow, and a clown inside.”
“A clown? For a wedding?”
“Yes.”
I also arranged for a sealed envelope to be delivered to Jessica ten minutes after the performance.
Inside were the photograph, Richard’s old note, and a letter from me.
The coordinator agreed to hand it directly to the bride.
I wasn’t going to beg for an invitation.
I had another plan.
On their wedding day, Daniel texted me.
