I was sitting on the back terrace when the gates buzzed. I knew who it was. I’d been waiting all day. My body was riddled with knots, and when I heard the tires on the gravel, I couldn’t sit still anymore. I stood, knocking the orange juice over. As it spilled across the table, Beth gasped. She dove forward with her napkin. “Sheldon!”
Two guards stood at the entrance. I paused for a moment. My father had said they were for my protection, but I wasn’t sure. As I started for them, their hands went to their guns. I stopped. They stopped. My eyes narrowed, and my chin moved down. I asked, “Why can’t I go out there?”
They glanced at each other, but didn’t say a word.
She said from behind me, “Because they have to make sure it’s them.”
“I know it’s them.”
Beth came around with her hands ful
