Van

Pulling out one of the heavy ornate chairs surrounding the formal dining table, I took the seat beside Julia. As guests talked with one another and enjoyed Mrs. Mayhand’s meal, I whispered to my bride. “Do you know that this is a first for me?”

Her smile brightened my world. “Getting married?”

“Yes, but I was thinking specifically about sitting in this dining room for a meal.”

“In all the years you’ve ...