My boss called me at 11 p.m. and said, « Come to the hotel with me tonight. If you don’t come, you’re fired—and don’t tell anyone. » I went… But when I opened the door, saw him waiting for me inside, and heard what he wanted, I couldn’t believe my ears.

« I may be sick, Daniel. But I’m not stupid. »

I stared at her.

« Then why did you ask him to bring me here? »

She took my hand again.

« Because for two years, every time my son talked about work, your name was the only one that made him smile. »

Mr. Harrison turned as red as a tomato.

I didn’t know what to say.

Her mother closed her eyes for a moment.

Then he whispered:

« I didn’t need to see him get married. »

She shook my hand.

« All I asked was that he finally stop hiding from his own life. »

And suddenly, the fake wedding no longer seemed to be the strangest element of the evening.