She’s been kind to Toby.”
My hand tightened on the phone.
“You knew.”
Nothing.
“Carol.
You knew about her.”
“Ryan mentioned her.
Some months ago.
I didn’t think it was my place to—”
“He told his mother.” I said it slowly, feeling the shape of it.
“He told you, and you said nothing to me.”
“I didn’t want to interfere in your marriage.”
“But you’re calling me right now to tell me I’m overreacting.”
Another silence.
Longer this time.
“I just think,” Carol said carefully, “that you should consider what you’re doing before you make any decisions.”
“I appreciate the call,” I said.
“Don’t call again tonight.”
I hung up.
Stood in the hallway for a moment with my back against the wall.
Ryan had called his mother before the front door had even closed behind him.
And his mother had known — for months, some months ago, however long that meant — and had sat across from me at Christmas dinner and asked about my job and passed the bread rolls and said nothing.
I went back to the kitchen.
“Who was that?” Toby asked.
He was back in his chair, fork in hand.
“Grandma Carol.”
“Is she coming over?”
“No, bud.”
