“It doesn’t,” I said.
“But I have a question and I want you to answer it honestly.
Did you know from the beginning that he was married?”
“Not from the very beginning.
He told me after about six weeks.”
“And you stayed.”
“I did.” No excuse attached.
Just the fact.
“Did you know he was telling me he was the one picking Toby up?”
A pause.
“I assumed you didn’t know I existed.
I didn’t know the specific lie he was telling you.”
I looked at Ryan.
He was staring at the table.
“She calls you buddy,” I said.
“My son calls you — what does he call you?”
“He started calling me Dani,” she said quietly.
“I didn’t ask him to.
He just did.”
My throat tightened.
I pushed past it.
“He has a spot at your apartment.
A place he sleeps.”
“A pull-out in the living room, yes.
He asked if he could keep a stuffed animal there.
A bear.
I said yes.” She stopped.
“I should have said no.
I see that now.
I let it go too far.”
“You let it go too far,” I repeated.
“Lauren—”
“Don’t.” I stood up.
“I’m not angry at you in the way you might expect.
