Chapter 3 - DIANE’S BREAKFAST
Diane arrived at eight carrying flowers and criticism.
She wore camel cashmere and pearls.
She kissed Caleb.
Ignored Emma’s bassinet for almost a full minute.
Then looked at me.
“You look pale.”
“I gave birth.”
“Yes, but some women recover beautifully.”
Lauren lowered her eyes to hide a smile.
Nathan poured coffee.
I watched the three of them move around my kitchen like they had rehearsed it.
Diane opened the refrigerator without asking.
Lauren knew where the mugs were.
Nathan watched me instead of the baby.
Performance.
The note had warned me.
Do not give him the performance he wants.
So I ate toast.
Slowly.
Diane finally examined Emma.
“She’s awfully small.”
Lauren said.
“That’s what I thought.”
I smiled.
“Seven pounds, one ounce.”
Diane shrugged.
“Eli was bigger.”
The room went still.
Nathan’s hand stopped over the coffee pot.
Caleb looked up.
“Grandma, how do you know Eli’s baby size?”
Diane froze.
Children ruin complicated lies with simple questions.
She recovered.
“Lauren told me.”
“When?”
Caleb asked.
Diane’s smile sharpened.
“You ask too many questions.”
I put my cup down.
“He’s four.”
Nathan cleared his throat.
“Rachel.”
“No.”
Everyone looked at me.
“My son can ask questions.”
Diane’s eyes narrowed.
It was the first time I had openly contradicted her in years.
Then she reached into her handbag.
“Fine.”
“Since everyone is so sensitive, let’s discuss practical things.”
She pulled out another document.
Temporary childcare authorization.
Lauren’s name was listed.
I almost admired their nerve.
“What’s this?”
Nathan answered.
“Backup.”
“For what?”
“If you’re hospitalized again.”
“If recovery becomes difficult.”
“If you experience postpartum problems.”
There it was.
Not if I needed help.
If I became the problem.
Lauren leaned toward me.
“New mothers can get overwhelmed.”
I looked at the bracelet.
My mother’s bracelet.
Then at her face.
“Did Nathan tell you my mother died?”
Lauren blinked.
“Yes.”
“Did he tell you that bracelet was hers?”
Diane’s hand tightened around her cup.
Nathan said.
“Rachel.”
I kept looking at Lauren.
She covered the bracelet.
“I thought it belonged to Diane.”
“It didn’t.”
Nathan stood.
“That’s enough.”
I smiled.
“No.”
He stopped.
“That bracelet was locked in my bedroom safe.”
“So I’m curious.”
“How did Lauren get it?”
Nobody answered.
Then Caleb spoke.
“Daddy opened the safe.”
The kitchen went silent.
Nathan turned.
“What?”
Caleb pointed toward the hallway.
“Last week.”
“You put jewelry in a blue bag.”
I stared at my son.
Nathan’s face changed.
Caleb continued.
“And Grandma said Mommy wouldn’t need it.”
Diane went white.
My heart began pounding.
I had expected to find adultery.
Fraud.
Maybe forged signatures.
I had not expected my four-year-old to become the first witness.
Then the doorbell rang.
Nathan glanced toward the monitor.
Two men stood outside.
Both wearing suits.
Diane smiled again.
“Oh, good.”
I looked at her.
“Who are they?”
“Estate attorneys.”
Nathan answered.
“They’re here to make sure we protect the family.”
I looked down at Emma.
Then at the documents beside my plate.
May you like
They were not here to protect my family.
They were here to transfer it.
