At My Brother’s Wedding, They Gave Me A “Limited Access” Badge

silence until a waitress dropped off menus and disappeared.

Ryan spoke first. “I’m sorry.”

No qualifiers. No excuses. No jokes to soften it.

Just sorry.

I nodded once, waiting.

“I approved the seating change,” he said, his voice low. “Mom said it was about numbers, about making sure Cara’s family fit. And I…” He shook his head, disgusted with himself. “I continue reading …