THE EMAILS
I opened the envelope.
Inside were printed emails.
The first was from Marjorie to Nolan.
If Claire is too sick to attend, you should still come. Your father has been looking forward to this for months.
The next was from Nolan.
I know. I’ll make it work.
Then another message from Marjorie:
Don’t let her illness become an excuse. She’ll be fine at home.
I looked at Nolan.
He didn’t defend her.
Sierra pulled out another page.
“This one was sent Thursday night.”
I read it.
Make sure she doesn’t feel like everyone is choosing the trip over her. Tell her you’re staying with her until discharge, then leave if she can manage.
My chest tightened.
The lie hadn’t been improvised Friday afternoon.
It had been planned.
Sierra looked at her brother.
“You didn’t just lie to Claire.”
Nolan lowered his eyes.
“You let Mom help you plan the lie.”
He finally spoke.
“I know.”
Those two words carried more weight than any excuse could have.
I pushed the papers away.
“I don’t want your mother punished.”
Nolan looked at me.
“I don’t want your family fighting.”
Sierra nodded slowly.
“But I also don’t want to live like this anymore.”
Nolan sat quietly.
“What do you want?”
I looked directly at him.
“I want my husband to choose honesty, even when honesty makes his mother angry.”
