Chapter 19 - Diane admits the lie
Mom and I met with a family mediator.
I almost canceled.
Ben said:
“You don’t owe reconciliation.”
“I know.”
“Then why go?”
“Because I want an answer.”
We sat across from each other.
No baby.
Iris stayed home with Ben.
The mediator asked Diane:
“Did you tell Elena Rachel needed three thousand dollars for housing?”
Mom shifted.
“I said she had a housing-related financial problem.”
I stared.
“No.”
The mediator said:
“Diane.”
Mom exhaled.
“Yes.”
“Was that accurate?”
“Not literally.”
There.
“Why did you say it?”
Mom looked at me.
“Because I knew you wouldn’t pay her credit card.”
“Correct.”
“She needed the refinance.”
“No. She wanted it.”
“She has children.”
The mediator stopped her.
“Does having children make Elena responsible for Rachel’s credit profile?”
Mom looked offended by the question.
“No.”
Then quieter:
“No.”
I asked:
“How many times did you change the reason because you thought I would refuse?”
Mom cried.
Not answer.
The mediator waited.
Finally:
“I don’t know.”
May you like
That was likely true.
The pattern had become too ordinary to count.
