“Not clearly enough!”
“I told you I loved my wife. I told you your behavior was inappropriate. I refused your invitations. I returned nothing secretly because I wanted Rachel to know what was happening.”
He paused.
“What exactly would have been clear enough for you?”
Vanessa had no answer.
I reached into my handbag and removed the card I’d written.
“There’s one more thing.”
Her eyes widened.
“Rachel, don’t you dare.”
I held up the card.
“I was going to leave this with the gift, but since we’re all here, perhaps you’d like to hear it.”
“Stop!”
I read it anyway.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Just clearly enough for everyone nearby to hear.
When I finished, the silence was extraordinary.
Then Mrs. Collins cleared her throat.
“Vanessa, I think you owe Rachel an apology.”
Vanessa looked at her as though she’d betrayed her.
“Are you taking her side?”
“I’m taking the side of basic decency.”
