Even Mom laughed.
Then Alaric became serious again.
“After I lost that job, Molly helped me find another one.”
“Anyone would have.”
“No,” he said quietly. “They wouldn’t.”
He looked directly at her.
Part 2:
“I never forgot.”
The woman beside us had apparently had enough.
“This reunion is lovely, but I’m leaving.”
Alaric turned toward her.
“Yes. You are.”
He signaled to the waiter.
The door was unlocked.
The woman grabbed her purse.
But before leaving, she glanced back at Mom.
“I still think people shouldn’t get offended when someone tells them the truth.”
Mom stood.
For years, I had watched her avoid confrontation.
I had watched her pretend cruel comments didn’t bother her.
I had watched her slowly disappear from places she used to enjoy.
But this time, she didn’t shrink.
She looked directly at the woman.
“You don’t know anything about my health.”
