He dared not think further. Willard immediately dialed my number repeatedly, but no one answered. He tugged at his tie in frustration, his expression darkening by the second.

Finally, the call connected. Willard practically screamed into the phone. "Cynthia, where the hell are you? The whole family's waiting!"

I stared out the window at the familiar streetscape. "I already got married and came home a while ago."