Why hadn’t anyone told me?
“You knew? And you agreed?”
He lowered his eyes. “I believed she was acting in your best interest. I was wrong.”
“You should’ve asked me!”
“You’re right, Nora. I’m sorry.”
My hands trembled around the letter.
Your mother asked us not to upset you.
“Did he suffer?”
“From what I’ve been told, it happened quickly.”
“Did he ask for me?”
“I don’t know, Nora.”
I left, clutching the envelope.
I needed answers. And this time, I wasn’t leaving without them.
I was wrong.
***
Forty minutes later, I pulled into Mom’s driveway.
Paige’s car was there. So was Dean’s.
Through the window, I saw balloons.
My family had apparently found time to celebrate my recovery. They just hadn’t found time to tell me Dad was buried.
I opened the door.
I needed answers.
“Surprise!”
Mom stood beside a cake.
Paige held champagne.
Dean was arranging plates.
