I looked at Diane.
“You knew you weren’t on the list.”
She finally met my eyes.
“Wendy, this isn’t what you think.”
“You used someone else’s name.”
“I had a reason.”
“What possible reason could you have?”
Before she could answer, I heard a small voice.
“Mom?”
The door hadn’t latched completely. Oliver stood in the opening.
“Sweetheart, I asked you to wait outside.”
“I know.”
He glanced at Diane.
Then he whispered, “Mom… Grandma knew Dad wasn’t coming.”
My stomach tightened.
“What does that mean?”
Diane immediately stood.
“Don’t involve him.”
Her eyes moved toward Oliver, then back to me.
“Don’t involve a seven-year-old in what?” I demanded.
The principal stepped toward the door.
“Perhaps Oliver should wait with our secretary.”
“No.”
The word came from Diane too quickly.
I stared at her.
“What is going on?”
Oliver tightened his grip on his backpack.
“Grandma said Dad couldn’t pick me up.”
