“What did he say?”
Mom’s face changed.
“And somehow, that’s only the beginning of this nightmare.”
***
Two days later, Ben asked to meet without Diane.
I agreed because I wanted facts.
I brought a notebook.
He noticed it immediately.
“What’s that?”
Mom’s face changed.
“The part where I stop relying on whatever version you decide to give me.”
“Ask me anything, Liza. Anything.”
“What exactly did Claire say?”
“She wanted to meet me.”
“I want the message.”
His face tightened.
“Ask me anything, Liza.”
“I haven’t looked at it in years.”
“Did Diane know?”
“Yes.”
“Then show me.”
“I don’t think it’ll help.”
“Then why are you afraid of me seeing it?”
“Then show me.”
That stopped him.
Ben signed into an old email account and found the exchange.
Claire’s message was short.
She didn’t want money. She wanted to know where she came from and whether he’d meet her once.
