I’d suggested calling her anyway.
He’d shaken his head.
“Rachel, please. You’re only making things worse.”
Now Vanessa was reaching for her phone.
“I’m calling her.”
Sam grabbed her arm.
“Don’t.”
Vanessa pulled away.
“Why?”
He couldn’t answer.
She called.
Lily picked up after three rings.
“Mom?”
“Sweetheart, where are you?”
“Home. Why?”
“Your father’s birthday dinner is happening now.”
A pause.
“Dad told me not to come.”
I watched Sam close his eyes.
Vanessa’s voice softened.
“Why?”
“He said Rachel wouldn’t be comfortable having me there.”
The room seemed to tilt.
“What?” I whispered.
Vanessa put the phone on speaker.
“Rachel’s here, Lily.”
Another pause.
Then a quiet voice.
“She is?”
I stepped closer.
“Lily, I wanted you here.”
Nothing.
Then Lily said something I’ll never forget.
“That’s not what Dad told me.”
I looked at Sam.
