The server brought my meal while the private room received its second round of wine.
I ate slowly.
At one point, a cousin came near the bar and noticed me behind the olive tree.
She hesitated as though she might speak, then looked toward Celeste and returned to the party.
That was how Celeste maintained control.
She rarely demanded loyalty directly.
She simply made everyone understand what disloyalty would cost.
The cake arrived with small candles around the sugared orchids.
The family sang while Lila recorded a video.
I could see Celeste’s face through the gap in the greenery.
She closed her eyes before blowing out the candles, performing gratitude for the room.
I wondered whether she had made a wish.
Then I wondered why I still cared.
When I finished eating, I asked my server for my own check.
