Music fades
As everyone fell into silence, the band’s song faded and was replaced by the sound of glass clinking. My stomach began to tighten slightly as I focused only on Dad. As he started talking, I was unable to stop observing his every action. There was no strategy for this. He spoke incoherently at first, as if he hadn’t fully thought out what he was going to say. I held my breath while the throng exchanged bewildered looks.
Music Fades
An awkward start
Dad stumbled over his introductory remarks and began his speech with an odd hesitancy. His voice faltered, unable to muster the fortitude to speak. People looked at each other with a mixture of wonder and worry. Although Dad’s uneasiness was evident, nobody was sure how to interpret it at this time. Sarah murmured next to me, “Are you aware of what’s happening? I shook my head, feeling even more perplexed.
An Awkward Start
