Fortunately, the attitude over our late arrival didn’t last long. Holden had explained it away with a quick word and a stern look. My mother frowned, but she dropped it and I was grateful. Introductions went smoothly, and Holden had no trouble remembering everyone’s names. I tried to relax, but it was still hard. There was so much noise and chaos, and my mother kept shooting us looks in between her hovering over everyone to make sure they had enough food.
Davida looked beautiful, and regally accepted all the attention. I remembered when she’d been born, this little wrinkly thing who cried far too much. But she’d grown up and was much more mature than the average fifteen-year-old. She was determined to become a pediatric cardiac surgeon, and had started herself on that path already, even t
