Chapter 16 - Patricia had known more than Vanessa
Patricia surprised me.
She called through my lawyer and asked for a private meeting.
I said no.
Then agreed with Denise present.
Patricia arrived without George.
She looked smaller outside the mansion.
Not physically.
Contextually.
She began:
“I owe you an apology.”
I waited.
“I ordered security to remove you.”
“There was no security standing there.”
“I know.”
“You told someone to get me off the property.”
“Yes.”
“And George said search my bag.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know who I was?”
Patricia looked down.
Then:
“I suspected.”
That hurt more than Vanessa’s ignorance.
“Why?”
“George had told me Ethan’s mother might arrive angry about business papers.”
“And you saw an older woman asking for Ethan.”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you ask my name?”
“I was trying to stop a scene.”
There it was again.
She wanted the event preserved.
Truth could wait.
I said:
“You watched Vanessa spray me.”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“I should have stopped her.”
“Yes.”
Patricia’s eyes filled.
“I was embarrassed.”
“For me?”
“For the party.”
At least she was honest.
Then she told me something important.
Vanessa had spent months assuring her parents that Ethan’s mother preferred distance.
“She said you were uncomfortable with our family.”
“I was uncomfortable with how she spoke to me.”
Patricia nodded.
“I see the distinction now.”
May you like
Late.
Still a distinction.
