Helen.
My eyes lifted.
“You were on it.”
“At first.”
“Why?”
Helen looked toward the empty chair where Dad always sat. “Because Maggie thought I understood him.”
I hadn’t heard anyone outside our family call Mom Maggie in years.
It made my skin prickle.
“And then she changed her mind.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Helen didn’t answer.
I stood.
“I’m calling Dad.”
“Rachel.”
I was already dialing. He answered on the fourth ring.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
“I’m at the restaurant.”
Silence.
I looked at Helen.
Dad said, “Is she there?”
That hurt more than I expected.
“You knew she’d be here?”
“No.”
“But how did you know who I meant?”
Another silence.
“Dad…”
“Rachel, I can explain. Please don’t open the envelope.”
I looked down at my name.
“Why does everybody keep saying that?”
“Because it isn’t how I wanted you to find out.”
“Then you shouldn’t have taped it underneath a table.”
