A comforting embrace
Francis saw the tears streaming down my face and didn’t ask any more questions. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around my shaking frame.
The fabric of his tuxedo felt rough against my cheek, grounding me in the moment. I stood there completely frozen in my white dress, unable to return the embrace.
The silence in the room felt heavy as the reality of my father’s words sank in. He simply held me until the initial shock began to fade.