As usual, a large parquet dance floor had been set up on the sand, just a few yards from the ocean. A single tentpole stood in the middle, and from it ran hundreds of strands of bubble lights, creating the feeling that the stars had come down from the sky. Scattered around the perimeter were ten-top round tables and tall cocktail tables overflowing with ranunculus and peonies, alongside crushed-velvet antique couches. Dozens of teenagers—my daughter among them—milled about in period dress, passing hors d’oeuvres, handing out paper fans, and, the most coveted job, wearing shucking belts so that guests could shuck their own fresh oysters. Each of the four sides of the outdoor area held a gilded bar alight with champagne and signature cocktails for easy grabbing, and bartenders waited to serve a full selection of anything else one’s heart desired. During this early part of the evening, a massive buffet lined the center of the dance floor, filled with every delicious, delectable offering Juniper Shores could provide, from lobster and fresh sushi to Wagyu beef and caviar, the most beautiful fruit and perfectly roasted vegetables, desserts almost too beautiful to eat, and on and on. At nine on the dot, it would all be swept away and dancing would begin; at midnight, servers would return with trays of tiny sliders and french fries.

I wouldn’t make it until midnight. I could already tell. The appraising stares of the crowd would break me before then, because there was no doubt about it: all eyes were on the four of us as we approached the check-in table. “Are you sure you want to be seen with me?” I asked Grace quietly.

“I would never not be proud to be seen with you,” she said. My eyes pooled because I knew she meant it, because I would have meant it too, and the mere idea of that stunned me. Being without Bill had felt like torture most days. But I had made friendships here that I never thought I’d get to have. It wasn’t even close to an even trade, but it was a very glittery silver lining.

“Okay, ladies,” Julie said. “Remember: if you can drop Bill’s innocence into a conversation, do it. But don’t make it obvious.” She fanned herself with her vintage fan. That sweet Elliott had gotten each of us one for the occasion. Even so, Alice had begged off coming here with him on a proper date, and opted to be with us instead. As she’d said, “I’m not going to make my first big night out in years be all about my next victim. I’d rather everyone talk about our cult.”