Sally always knew just the right thing to say. ~ Ivy was surprised and a little nervous to discover that the seating for the meal was allocated alread..., each of the large circular tables sat eight people. At the table she had been seated at the only person she already knew was Caroline, Terrence’s only daughter and Richards beautiful younger sister who thankfully she was sitting next to and who chattered away so enthusiastically no one noticed Ivy’s lack of input. Everyone else seemed to be. ’ ‘She’s taking Danielle with her?’ ‘Uh-huh.’ ‘Oh, Joe, I’m so sorry.’ ‘She still won’t let me have any custody, Holly. I won’t get to see Danielle at all if I don’t go all the way down there. Can’t you do something? I have one more hearing before they go, maybe you could come tell the judge something . . .’ ‘Joe, we’ve tried that. They want a social worker to visit the house and you know what happened last time she came by. The place is a hellhole as far as a social worker and a four-year-old. Intricate and colorful, they covered his forearms and disappeared beneath the sleeves. I wondered if there was a story behind each one and instinctively stretched a finger to trace the outlines of a black tree, branches spreading out like spider webs. Suddenly aware of what I was about to do, I stiffened and took my hand back, clasping it in my lap. What was I thinking?“It’s okay,” he said almost in a whisper, moving within reach and taking a deep breath. I also moved closer, hoping he wouldn’t. " Bitch."I had asked Charles not to be here when Cantera came since it might make Laura uncomfortable. He came in dressed in a well-cut blue suit, a muted blue tie with tiny dots on it, and a white shirt. I thought he looked quite handsome and would have been happy to be seen with him. I hugged him and wished them a nice dinner. Laura had greeted him with her best lovely smile and touched her cheek to him. She surely didn't act nervous.Charles and I were asleep when she joined us around.