Chapter 7 - THE MOTEL KEY
The motel key inside the box came from the Ashbury Motor Lodge.
Demolished years ago.
But business records confirmed it operated near the interstate in 1988.
Rebecca’s letter described staying there with Elaine.
Not running away from home for fun.
Leaving Harold.
Elaine and Rebecca spent two nights in Room 214.
Then Diane called.
Thirteen years old.
Crying.
“Mom, come home.”
Elaine returned.
Rebecca came with her.
Rebecca wrote:
Diane did not betray us. She was terrified.
That sentence contradicted Rebecca’s harsher letters.
Claire liked the contradiction.
It sounded human.
Rebecca could understand Diane and resent her simultaneously.
A later cassette captured Elaine.
Her voice was quiet.
“I can’t leave Diane there.”
Rebecca answered:
“Then take her.”
“She won’t come.”
“Because Dad told her you’re destroying the family.”
Silence.
Elaine said:
“I know.”
Claire stopped the tape.
Diane was crying now.
Not dramatically.
Quietly.
Claire asked:
“Did Grandpa say that?”
Diane nodded.
“He said Mom was sick.”
“Was she?”
“She was depressed.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“I know.”
May you like
Diane sounded tired.
For the first time, Claire heard a child under the sixty-year-old woman’s voice.
