I took the seating chart and went to find Tamara.
She was up on the main stage, having her photos taken.
"Put my parents' seats back."
She barely glanced at me.
"Brad says the head table has limited space."
"He's my brother, and he's running the wedding. It's easier for him to handle things from the head table."
"And my parents?"
"They've got work to do. They can't just sit around."
I kept the anger down.
"Once the ceremony starts, you're going to have them working too?"
"They can rest when they're done."
"And when will they be done?"
She didn't answer.
Brad came over with a walkie-talkie in his hand.
"Sis, don't argue with him."
"Staff rotate through the staff meal at three."
I looked at him.
"My parents are eating the staff meal?"
"Everybody's the same."
"Whatever the hotel staff eats, they eat."
I turned and went to the back kitchen.
My mother was standing at the sink, washing glasses.
Steam rose off the hot water, and her sleeves were already soaked through.
One of the bride's relatives dumped half a glass of red wine into the sink.
"Wash this one too."
My mother took the glass.
"Sure."
I pulled the rag out of her hand.
"Stop washing."
She snatched it right back.
"How can I walk off in the middle of this?"
"You go be with Tamara."
"Don't let them think our family won't pull its weight."
The hotel server beside her said quietly,
"Ma'am, this is supposed to be our job."
"Mr. Fleming told us to go serve the bride's lounge. He said someone was covering things here."
I asked,
"How many people did your hotel actually staff for this?"
The server didn't dare answer.
The floor manager came over.
"Sir, if there's a problem, take it up with the wedding coordinator."
"We're just doing what Mr. Fleming arranged."
My mother pushed me toward the door.
"Go, hurry."
"The tea ceremony's coming up soon."
"If you and Dad aren't up on the stage, how do we do the tea ceremony?"
She froze for a second.
"Brad said the tea ceremony gets pushed back."
"Whenever there's time, that's when we do it."
I walked out of the back kitchen.
The parking lot was blinding under the sun.
My father was in a reflective vest at the entrance, waving cars in without a break.
One of the bride's guests parked crooked, got out, and tossed him the keys.
"Park it for me."
My father caught them.
"I don't know how to drive a car this expensive."
The man swore at him.
"If you can't drive, what are you standing here for?"
"Go find someone who can!"
I walked over and handed the keys back to him.
"Park it yourself."
The man recognized me.
"The groom?"
He looked me up and down.
"What kind of people is the groom's side putting out here?"
"Can't even park a car. Who throws a wedding like this?"
My father grabbed my arm.
"Let it go."
"They came for the wedding. Don't offend the guests."
"You're a guest too."
He looked down at the staff badge.
"Dad's family. One of us."
"Family should do a little extra. That's how it should be."
Brad's voice came through the walkie-talkie.
"Number 01, the east gate's blocked!"
"You copy?"
I took the walkie-talkie.
"Come down and handle it yourself."
Brad cursed at once.
"Nat, are you sick in the head?"
"You've thrown the whole wedding schedule into chaos!"
I switched the walkie-talkie off and took my father upstairs.
The moment we stepped inside, Deborah blocked our way.
"Who told him to leave his post?"
"The parking lot's a mess, the bride's relatives are all complaining!"
"My father isn't a worker you hired."
She gave a cold laugh.
"Puts on a reflective vest and suddenly he's too precious for it?"
"Like he's never done a day's work in his life?"
"He just sees how nice my guests' cars are and he's scared he can't pay for it if he scratches one, isn't he?"
My father's face changed.
"Mrs. Abbott, that's not what I meant."
"If that's not what you meant, then get back to work!"
Deborah reached out and shoved him.
"Stop clogging up the doorway playing the victim!"
I stepped in front of him.
Tamara came down off the stage.
She didn't ask what had happened to my father. She just looked at the reflective vest he was wearing.
"Dad, stay away from the photo area."
"That color's too bright. It'll look bad in the pictures."
My father glanced down at himself.
"Then I'll stand further off."
He started back toward the parking lot.
I caught his hand.
"You're not going."
The big screen suddenly switched the program.
【10:40 — Couple's Tea Ceremony】
【Groom's Parents: Remain on Duty】
【Tea Served To: Bride's Parents】
I looked over at Tamara.
She had already taken her place beside the seat of honor for the tea ceremony and was smoothing out her skirt.
The two chairs that had belonged to my parents were being carried away by the staff.
