“Yes.”
“How old?”
“Six.”
“Boy or girl?”
“Boy.”
Renee looked toward the dark yard.
“So Zoe has a brother.”
“A half-brother.”
“Do not correct me right now.”
“Sorry.”
“Did she meet him?”
“Sunday.”
Renee stood.
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Renee.”
“You let her meet a biological sibling.”
“Yes.”
“And you came home with sneakers.”
Marcus stood too.
“I know.”
“You don't know.”
She turned on him.
“Do you understand what you stole from me?”
His face changed.
“I did not steal Lauren from you.”
“Not Lauren.”
Renee’s voice broke.
“My daughter’s face when she met her brother.”
Silence.
Marcus had no answer.
Renee cried now.
Angry tears.
“You took that moment.”
“I know.”
“No.”
She pointed toward him.
“Do not say you know because you understand the words.”
“You decided I was too fragile to be included.”
“You and Zoe created a memory I will never have because you were protecting me from having feelings.”
Marcus looked sick.
“You’re right.”
That did not help.
Renee continued.
“I would have been scared.”
“Yes.”
“I might have cried.”
“Yes.”
“I might have said something stupid.”
“Yes.”
“I might have asked for time.”
“Yes.”
“But those were mine.”
Marcus stared.
Renee pressed one hand against her chest.
“My feelings were mine.”
“You did not get to avoid them by removing me from the event.”
Marcus sat again.
He looked down.
“I’m sorry.”
Renee wiped her face.
“Not tonight.”
He nodded.
Fair.
She went upstairs alone.
Zoe’s bedroom door was open.
The girl sat on her bed with her knees drawn to her chest.
Renee stopped at the threshold.
“Can I come in?”
Zoe nodded.
Renee sat in the desk chair.
Not the bed.
They looked at each other.
Zoe spoke first.
“I’m sorry.”
Renee almost said It's okay.
Stopped.
“It isn't okay that you lied.”
Zoe’s eyes filled.
Renee continued.
“It also isn't only your fault.”
Zoe stared.
“Dad said—”
“I don't care what Dad said.”
A tiny smile appeared.
Then disappeared.
Renee took a breath.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Zoe looked at her knees.
“Because you would be sad.”
“Yes.”
“That is not enough.”
Zoe’s shoulders tightened.
“You don't like Lauren.”
Renee felt defensive immediately.
“I don't know Lauren.”
“You don't like talking about her.”
Different.
True.
Renee said nothing.