twelve-foot Christmas tree while his wife, Diane, studied me as though I’d dirtied her carpet.
Rachel rushed over.
“Mom, can we talk?”
She led me into the hallway.
She avoided my eyes.
“Grant doesn’t want you here.”
For a moment, I assumed she was joking.
“I’m your mother.”
“I know, but his family has important people here tonight.”
“And what am I?”
She murmured, “Please don’t make this harder.”
Then Grant appeared.
Unlike Rachel, he spoke loudly.
“People like you don’t belong at events like this.”
The room fell silent.
