Now, driving away from the hotel, I couldn’t understand how the happiest day I’d seen her have in years had turned into something Mom seemed terrified to face.
I found another hotel 15 minutes away.
It cost more, but I didn’t care.
I found another hotel.
***
Mom sat on the bed while I unpacked. “I’m sorry, Michael.”
“Please stop apologizing.”
“I’ve ruined everything.”
“You haven’t ruined anything. But I need to understand what’s happening.”
She stared at her hands. “Evelyn helped me when your father left.”
“I’ve ruined everything.”
“She gave me money.”
“How much?”
“Enough to keep us from losing our apartment.”
I stopped unpacking. “Why have you never mentioned her?”
“Because I couldn’t bear remembering what happened afterward.”
“How much?”
“Did you steal from her, Mom?”
