Chapter 34

“No, I’m going to do something else.”

Daniel touched her arm. She swayed against him, drawn by his warmth. Looking up, she expected to see him smiling, but instead, he frowned and shook his head. She disregarded his warning, plunging into the news head first.

“I’m getting married!”

Everybody at the table exchanged shocked glances. She watched them eagerly, waiting for somebody to speak, but the silence continued, growing pregnant with tension. Edna was the first to find her voice. “Congratulations, dear.”

Her voice seemed to snap the others from their stupor. “It’s about time!” Rodney announced.

“That’s wonderful news,” May added.

Carol looked around, slightly hurt. “What’s wrong? I thought you guys would be happy for me.”

“We arehappy for you,” Edna assured her. “We want you to be happy.”

“I’mnot happy for her,” Petra cut in. “Why should I be? Most people waste their entire lives. Why should we be happy about Carol wasting hers?”