He believed he had rehearsed my humiliation so many times that I would perform it automatically.
I did not.
“Thank you,” I said.
He blinked.
“That’s it?”
“No. I have something for you too.”
My sister had left a large white box at the coat-check desk.
I retrieved it and returned to the ballroom.
The guests became interested again.
Russell grinned when I handed it to him.
“See? She has a sense of humor.”
He removed the ribbon.
Inside was the green dress Maya had found.
Beneath it lay three sealed envelopes, a framed photograph, and a small audio recorder.
Russell lifted the dress.
“What is this supposed to be?”
“The dress I wore on our third date.”
He laughed.
“Planning to fit into it again?”
“No.”
Maya stood.
“She altered it for me,” she said.
Russell looked at her.
His smile faltered.
I continued.
“She wanted to wear it to her awards dinner. Instead, you told her she was becoming shaped like me.”
“I was teasing.”
Maya stepped toward the stage.
“You told me to skip breakfast.”
