It was sunny and clear on the morning of Thelma’s eighty-eighth birthday. She wanted a blowout celebration. She knew in her bones this would be her last chance. The guests would be in for a surprise. She had an announcement to make that she was sure would cause shock, confusion, and possibly sadness. Her goal was to dispel all that with her upbeat take on life. She was excited to get started on her day, greet her guests, and enjoy the warmth of so many good memories with everyone.

All her life, Thelma had a penchant for taking chances in life, in love, and in business. She was throwing herself a party to surpass all previous parties. She invited friends from the past eight decades of her life. Unfortunately, some had passed away. Many were coming from great distances because Thelma had lived in several countries over the years. The RSVPs came in an avalanche of acceptances. Everyone wanted to be included in one of Thelma’s legendary extravagances. There were to be four hundred thirty-three in attendance for the dinner.

Family, of course, would be present as they always were when Thelma staged her affairs. Bless their little hearts. There were her two sons from her first marriage, Brian and Phillip, with their wives, grandchildren with spouses, and great-grandchildren. From her second marriage came daughters, Sian and Colleen, with their husbands, grandchildren with spouses, and great-grandchildren; the twins from her third marriage, Steven and Stephanie arrived with their spouses and grandchildren. Finally, the baby of the family from her fourth marriage, Clotilda, unmarried at forty-six, had flown in from England with her fiancé, Somersby. Thelma was proud of the extensive family she had built through four marriages and eighty-eight remarkable years. She worked hard to keep track of each one; she even hired a secretary to send cards and gifts marking the occasion of each birthday and anniversary.

Thelma liked to do things on a grand scale, and since this was her last, she went all out. She wanted to have as many witnesses as possible for this event. This final event. During the day, there would be a magic show, clowns, a puppet play, and pony rides for kids, plus a grand picnic in the park. There were sitters arranged for anyone under the age of fifteen so the adults could enjoy the evening dinner dance and scheduled event without worrying about bedtimes and tired children.

She rented a theater complete with a stage for the occasion. The theater seats were removed. A portable dance floor was placed in front of the stage, and tables were set in tiers, with white tablecloths, for a festive catered four-course dinner to be served promptly at eight o’clock, accompanied by champagne. No other alcohol was served because she wanted everyone to be sober for the announcement. Large vases of fresh red and white roses, symbols of love and spirituality, adorned each table. Gold eternity symbols decorated the white linen napkins. She hired an orchestra that would play upbeat tunes from every decade of her life. Appropriate music would follow her announcement.

Just days before the party, on a whim, Thelma added four names to the guest list: Chance Livingston, Chance O’Malley, Chance Hayes and Chance LeClerq. Her former husbands. To their astonishment, she requested they serve as groomsmen for the fifth man who would be waiting for her at the altar, Chance Henderson. They all agreed. You don’t say no to Thelma.

At precisely nine-thirty on her eighty-eighth birthday, she would take one last Chance.