Chapter 9 — Robert Gives Up His Own Seat
The reception resumed that evening.
But Table 17 had a problem.
Every seat was occupied.
Daniel looked toward Samuel.
“You can take mine.”
Samuel shook his head.
“Absolutely not.”
Then Robert stood.
“Take mine.”
Everyone went quiet.
Samuel stared at him.
Robert removed his place card.
“You were supposed to have this seat before I interfered.”
Samuel shook his head.
“Robert, I don’t need—”
“I know.”
Robert’s voice trembled.
“That’s why I’m asking.”
Samuel remained silent.
Robert continued.
“I was certain you had done something wrong.”
“I never proved it.”
“Then I found out Peter took the money, and instead of admitting I had been wrong, I held onto the locket because it allowed me to keep believing I was mostly right.”
Samuel looked toward him.
Robert swallowed.
“I wasn’t mostly right.”
“I was wrong.”
Then:
“And I am sorry.”
Samuel did not immediately forgive him.
He didn’t need to.
He simply nodded.
“Thank you for saying it.”
Robert moved to an empty chair at another table.
Samuel sat beside Margaret.
The original place card was restored.
SAMUEL VALE.
Daniel kept his place too.
Staff added another chair rather than removing anyone.
Margaret laughed when she saw the crowded table.
“Apparently Table 17 doesn’t believe in capacity limits.”
Samuel smiled.
“Your family never did.”
For the first time in decades, Margaret laughed at a memory involving Samuel without feeling abandoned by it.