“We’ll talk later.”
I opened it again.
“No.”
He stared at me.
Then walked away.
MY MOTHER SAW IT TOO
The following afternoon, Mom came over carrying soup, baby clothes, and an overnight bag.
She picked up Theo while I folded laundry.
After a few minutes she said:
“You’ve folded that shirt three times.”
I stopped.
“I think Ethan is hiding something.”
I told her everything.
The location.
The photograph.
The message.
The missing money.
“Did he explain any of it?”
“He gave me three explanations.”
Mom sat beside me.
“Don’t invent facts you don’t have.”
I nodded.
“But don’t let him make you question the facts you do have.”
That stayed with me.
THE “EMERGENCY MEETING”
Two days later, Ethan picked up his keys.
“I’ve got an emergency meeting.”
I looked at what he was wearing.
Jeans.
Casual shirt.
“At work?”
“Yes.”
“You coming home for dinner?”
