Page 98 of Don't Tell

"Renée — "

"She said, 'I'm leaving this child the only thing I have, and I'm leaving it in trust because if I leave it to you, my sister will spend it on a man before the funeral is over.'"

My mother's mouth closes.

Renée does not stop.

"She said 'I have loved my sister my whole life and I'm sorry for what she became, but I'm not sorry I'm not leaving her my daughter.’ And the daughter she meant, Aunt — the daughter she meant was Suzanne. Suzanne was Mom's daughter.”

Darryl moves and starts to step forward.

Chad is in the doorway behind us.

He does not say anything. He is a tall man in his own house, and Darryl sees him.

I look at my mother.

"This is the last time you come to a door I'm behind. If you call again, if you come here again, if you contact me through anyone, I will pursue every legal option I have to get you out of my life. I will get a restraining order. I will tell every person whoknows you what you did. I will not be quiet about it the way I have been quiet about it for fifteen years."

"Suzanne — "

"You are not my mother. Marguerite was."

Her mouth opens.

Nothing comes out.

I close the door and lock it.

I stand in the foyer with my hand on the door.

Renée puts an arm around my shoulders.

I don't cry.

I breathe.

I call Iris that evening.

I don't plan what I'm going to say. I dial. She picks up. I say my name. I say I'm returning her email. I say I would love to meet.

She is warm. She is not surprised.

"Anytime next week works. Coffee? What part of the bay are you in?"

"East. I'm staying with my cousin in Berkeley right now."

"Berkeley is easy. How is Thursday."

"Thursday is good."

"11:00 a.m.? There's a place on Solano I love."

"11:00 a.m."

"I'll send you the address. I'm so glad you called, Suzanne."

"Me too."