Public Humiliation

A master of ceremony guided the couple through the process smoothly. Rings were exchanged, but no kisses. Tristan disappeared as soon as the ceremony was over. Evelyn mingled with the crowd by herself. I kept my head down, hid from view behind a huge potted fern. Just as I thought I could make it through the evening without more drama, the crowd stirred. Louise pushed a wheelchair onto the platform vacated by the newly engaged. Beata sat in it, and was the reason for the commotion. After all, everyone had gotten word that she was at death’s door. But the eighty-year-old woman who showed up here had a ruddy complexion and clear eyes. Maybe Roxanne was onto something about the positive versus negative energies. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as guests exchanged astonished looks. Kieran narrowed his eyes, aimed a wary glance at his grandmother. Louise busied herself with checking the microphone, then passed it to Beata. ‘Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming to my great-grandson