Elisabeth turned in early. The festival no longer held the joy it always had. She was acutely aware of the unease many felt. Her friends tried to conceal their discomfort, but Elisabeth was considered to be a curiosity at best, a traitor at worst. Somehow, she managed to avoid Raff, only seeing him in the distance a few times. Although disquiet clouded her mind, Jackson's music afforded her another peaceful sleep.
The Sidwell's had arranged to meet for breakfast at nine a.m. They would enter the summit together at ten.
Thomas stumbled into the dining room at nine-fifteen, disheveled and reeking of last night's festivities.
Miriam grimaced shaking her head, while Elisabeth chuckled. "You look rough."
He plopped down on a chair and guzzled the glass of water in front of him. He scratched his head, yawning. "Josh and I had a go at the blueberry vodka luge."
"Oh, jeez. Who won?"
He took a sip of orange juice. "Hmm… I don't remember."
"Ha! You're such an idiot."
He pulled a sarcastic face, quickly relaxed it and pressed his eyes with his thumbs "Ow. Anyone bring aspirin?"
Miriam fished in her purse and slapped a foil pack on the table in front of him. "I should let you suffer."
He stuck out his lower lip and crooned, "Thanks, Mom."
Caleb remained stoic, causing Elisabeth a pang of guilt over the situation in which she had put her family. She glanced away to compose her thoughts and caught a glimpse of Raff standing in the doorway, staring at her. Her body tensed at the site of him.
Thomas turned to see what had brought about the change in his sister's demeanor. "Great."
Caleb's attention shifted as well. He and Thomas acknowledged the problem with mutual nods, stood and approached Raff.
The three men spoke in hushed tones, yet it was obvious to anyone watching they were arguing.
Elisabeth focused on the plate the waitress set in front of her. "Mother, what's going on?"
"We decided with all you have to face today, the last thing you need is Raff nipping at your heels."
"So?"
"So, your father and brother convinced him to leave you alone until after the summit."
"I see… convinced or threatened?"
Miriam bit into her toast and shrugged, "Don't know; don't care."
Thomas and Caleb stood shoulder-to-shoulder preventing Raff from moving any further into the room. He spun on his heel and stomped out, knocking a tray of dishes from a bus-boy's arms.
The men returned to their seats without a word. Elisabeth held a hand of each. "Thank you."
*****
Caleb and Miriam entered the hall first with Thomas and Elisabeth close behind. The hum of conversation ceased abruptly, as if someone hit a mute button. They found their assigned seats to be in the front as expected. Miriam handed Elisabeth a bottle of water; she accepted it with a smile. She had only now noticed the dryness in her mouth brought on by nerves.