Chapter 6 - The Ramp Cordelia Canceled
Hartwell House was old.
Beautiful.
Inconvenient.
The south lawn was relatively level.
The stone terrace was not.
After Bram began using a wheelchair, I had repeatedly asked the events team to improve accessibility.
Temporary ramps existed.
A permanent renovation had been planned.
Then postponed.
Twice.
I thought permitting caused the delays.
Sabine sent another email.
From the wedding planner to Cordelia:
Temporary terrace ramp confirmed for Friday installation.
Cordelia’s reply:
Cancel. It disrupts the historic sight line. We will keep mobility devices on lawn level for photography.
I felt something inside me change.
Olivia had approved the ramp.
The photographer had approved the ramp.
The rental company had been booked.
Cordelia canceled it.
Then rearranged Bram’s seating so his wheelchair remained near the service-side accessible route and away from the terrace photography area.
Elowen asked:
“Was she planning to leave him behind whenever they moved upstairs?”
Sabine answered:
“I think so.”
Not proof.
But the schedule showed:
4:40 family portrait — terrace.
4:55 grandparent grouping — terrace.
5:05 bride/groom with immediate Hartwell family — terrace.
Bram’s name appeared nowhere.
My name did.
Elowen’s did.
My son had been removed.
May you like
Not just from a table.
From the sequence.
