I Was Seated Alone at My Son’s Wedding — Then a Stranger Said ‘Act Like You’re With Me’

“I think we have some catching up to do.”

As we walked away from the garden, I heard Viven’s voice rise in panic behind us.

“Brandon, do you have any idea who Theodore Blackwood is?”

“Do you know what this means?”

But I didn’t look back.

For the first time in three years, I was walking towards something instead of away from it.

The restaurant Theo chose was the kind of place I’d only read about in magazines.

Floor to ceiling windows overlooked the Denver skyline.

Soft jazz played in the background, and the weight staff moved with the quiet efficiency of people who understood that discretion was more valuable than visibility.

“I probably should have asked,” Theo said as we were seated at a corner table with a view of the mountains. “Are you hungry?”

“I realized we both missed the wedding dinner.”

I laughed, surprising myself with how genuine it sounded.

“I don’t think I could have eaten another bite of pretentious canopes anyway.”

“Though I have to admit, I’m curious what a $500 a plate dinner tastes like.”

“Disappointing,” he said dryly.

“Very expensive disappointment.”

The waiter appeared as if summoned by telepathy.

“Mr. Blackwood, your usual table.”

“Shall I bring the wine list, please?”

“And could we have some of those stuffed mushrooms Ellaner likes?”

He caught my expression and smiled.

“I remember you ordered them at Romanos that night when we celebrated your acceptance to the teacher training program.”

The memory hit me like a physical blow.

Romanos, the little Italian place that had been our special restaurant.