I walked toward him, every step an effort. Guests stepped aside, bewildered. The music was still playing. Darius and Simone were still dancing, oblivious. I reached the head table, stopping directly in front of my father. He stopped applauding and looked up at me with cold annoyance.

I took a deep breath and asked the question. I did not yell. I spoke loudly and clearly, so everyone in the room heard me in the sudden silence, because the music abruptly cut off mid-note.