“You tried to help me. I know that.”
Sophie began crying.
“I told Mom you could sit on my jacket. I didn’t want you to have to stand in the rain.”
“I know,” Emma said. “It’s okay.”
Vanessa watched them, her expression becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
For a moment, I wondered whether seeing her daughter’s tears would finally make her understand what had happened.
Instead, she looked toward me.
“This is all because of one bad morning.”
I shook my head.
“No. It’s because one bad morning showed me something I should have noticed a long time ago.”
I didn’t explain further.
I didn’t need to.
Rachel stepped forward again.
“Sarah, we’ll help you get your Honda repaired. Greg knows a good mechanic, and I can help with the battery if that’s the problem.”
“Oh, no,” I said immediately. “I can’t let you do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’ve all already helped me so much.”
