Daniel turned slowly toward the audience.
Then toward the front row.
Toward Richard.
Toward Vanessa.
And finally toward the seat with my name still attached to it.
The seat someone else had taken.
His jaw tightened.
“I saved that seat for my mother.”
The room became silent.
Completely silent.
Vanessa immediately smiled.
The fake smile.
The one people use when they realize others are watching.
“Oh, Daniel, honey—”
“No.”
He cut her off.
