“I’m sorry.”
“You let me tell you things I haven’t told anyone in years while making sure I couldn’t make an informed decision about you.”
He nodded. “I wasn’t thinking right. I’m sorry.”
I picked up my suitcase. “I think I’m going to leave.”
“Helen.”
“No.”
“Please stay long enough to let me explain.”
“You’ve already explained.”
I walked out.
I got another taxi and booked a hotel from the back seat.
When I reached the room, I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at that pale green jacket.
I felt stupid.
Then I called Claire.
She answered immediately.
“How’s the spa, Mom?”
Her sweet voice broke my resolve to hide everything. I started crying.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
“There is no spa.”
Twenty minutes later, she knew everything.
When I finished, she said, “Okay. That’s a lot to process.”
