Vanessa had enough available credit to cover the remaining balance after her friends contributed.
She paid, although I knew the charge would cause problems later.
I didn’t offer to help.
Before leaving, Rachel came over.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “If we’d known what Vanessa was planning, none of us would have come.”
“I believe you.”
I walked out without looking back at my sister.
The next morning, Vanessa sent 12 messages.
The first accused me of ruining her reputation.
The next few said her friends were angry and she couldn’t believe I’d embarrassed her in public.
Then came the message: “You know I didn’t mean what I said.”
I read the messages twice.
She hadn’t apologized for arranging the dinner.
She was upset because her plan had failed.
I replied once.
“You admitted you wanted to hurt me. I need some distance. Please don’t ask me for money.”
Then I muted the conversation.
