A little later, Robert Sterling came back toward my table.
He was carrying the leather portfolio again.
I recognized it immediately.
He stopped beside me.
"Mrs. Caldwell, do you have a moment?"
"Certainly."
He placed the folder on the table.
"I wanted to confirm that everything has been processed correctly."
I opened it.
The agreement was there.
The additional authorization I had signed earlier was also included.
I checked the details.
Everything appeared correct.
Robert waited patiently.
"Is there anything else you need from me?"
He shook his head.
"No. I just wanted to make sure the event arrangements were satisfactory."
I looked around the ballroom.
The tables were full.
The staff were moving comfortably.
The guests were enjoying themselves.
"Everything looks good."
He smiled.
"I'm glad."
Then he mentioned that Chloe had been pleased with how the evening had turned out.
I nodded.
"Please thank her for me."
"I will."
He closed the folder.
Before leaving, he glanced toward the service area.
"By the way, the banquet captain said you were a tremendous help earlier."
I laughed.
"She was the one managing everything. I only carried a few things."
"Still, it was appreciated."
I thanked him.
He began to walk away.
Then I called him back.
"Robert?"
He turned.
"Yes?"
"Please make sure the staff receive the recognition they deserve. They handled a difficult evening."
"Absolutely."
He nodded and left.
I sat back.
I had signed the papers.
The arrangement was complete.
There was nothing more I needed to do.
A few minutes later, David called.
I looked at my phone.
His name appeared on the screen.
I answered.
"Hello, sweetheart."
"Mom, how's the reunion?"
I smiled.
"It's going well."
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
"More than I expected."
He laughed.
"That's good."
I could hear some background noise.
He was probably still working.
I asked whether everything was all right at the company.
He said it was.
Then he asked if I needed him to come get me.
I told him I was fine.
"I'll let you know when I'm ready."
"All right. Have a good evening."
We said goodbye.
I put the phone away.
David had always worried about me since Arthur died.
He didn't say it directly.
But I knew.
He wanted to make sure I wasn't taking on too much.
Sometimes he forgot that I had been managing difficult situations long before he was old enough to understand them.
I didn't mind his concern.
It reminded me of Arthur.
They both cared in their own ways.
I looked toward the ballroom doors.
I thought about leaving.
But the evening wasn't over.
People were still talking.
Carol was laughing with another classmate.
A few people had gathered near the photographs.
I decided to stay a little longer.
Then I noticed Brenda speaking with Robert.
She seemed to be asking him something.
He answered politely.
She looked toward my table.
I couldn't hear their conversation.
I didn't try.
Robert eventually walked away.
Brenda remained standing.
She seemed uncertain.
For the first time that evening, I wondered whether she might finally want to speak honestly.
But I didn't go looking for her.
If she wanted to talk, she knew where I was.
I turned my attention back to the reunion.
There was no reason to spend the rest of my evening waiting for someone else's decision.
Click here to continue reading: PART 12: I Left the Old School Photograph Open Beside My Glass and Finally Understood What My Mother Had Been Trying to Teach Me
The Blue-Checked Dress That Taught Me How Much One Cruel Laugh Could Cost
Part 11 of 20
