Chapter 9 - THE PHOTO
Vanessa asked where the photograph came from.
Eleanor told her.
Five years earlier, before the estrangement, Adrian took Eleanor to a lakeside property.
They were laughing.
A waiter took the picture.
Eleanor carried it in her wallet ever since.
Why bring it that night?
She had not planned to show anyone.
The metal cup needed a few personal items to look believable.
That answer disturbed Vanessa more than a deliberate trick.
Because she had laughed at something real.
Then Vanessa asked:
“Why didn’t Adrian introduce us?”
Eleanor looked at her son.
He answered:
“Because I knew you’d both hate each other.”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“You decided for us?”
“Yes.”
Eleanor said:
“That was cowardly.”
Adrian nodded.
No argument.
Then Vanessa said quietly:
“I thought she hated me.”
Eleanor asked:
“Why?”
“Because you never came.”
Eleanor paused.
There was hurt beneath arrogance.
May you like
Not excuse.
Context.
