So I accepted, but with one condition: I would choose the restaurant and only give her the address that morning. I didn’t want to risk Audrey, without meaning to, saying something to Faith.
I chose a small restaurant downtown near my apartment—a cozy place where the food was good and the atmosphere was quiet. I arrived early and asked for a table near the window.
Audrey arrived on time with a small chocolate cake and a sincere hug.
“Happy birthday, Aunt. Seventy years of being the strongest woman I know.”
We ordered food, chatted about her life and her travel plans that had finally come together. It was nice to have a normal conversation without tension, without hidden agendas.
We were about to order coffee when I saw something that chilled my blood.
Faith walked into the restaurant with Grant.
It wasn’t a coincidence. The way Faith scanned the restaurant with her eyes, the way Grant walked half a step behind her, the determined expression on her face—they had come looking for me, and somehow they had found out where I would be.
My gaze locked on Audrey, who instantly paled.
“Aunt, I didn’t—”
She swallowed.
“She called me this morning and asked if I knew anything about you. I told her no, but…”
Her voice broke.
“She checked my phone. She must have done it while I was in the bathroom at her house yesterday. She saw your messages. I am so sorry.”
I didn’t have time to respond. Faith had already reached our table.
“Mom. What a surprise to find you here.”
Her voice dripped sarcasm.
“Celebrating your birthday with Audrey, but not with your own daughter.”
“I’m not surprised you came uninvited. It seems to be your specialty lately.”
Grant pulled a chair from the next table, and both sat down without waiting for permission. Audrey looked at me with pleading eyes, clearly uncomfortable, but unsure how to handle the situation.
“We need to talk, Mom—about many things.”
Faith placed her purse on the table like someone marking territory.
“We have nothing to talk about.”
“Oh no. How about how you sold the family house without telling us anything? How about how you disappeared for weeks without explanation? How about the fact that you are acting completely irrational?”
“Irrational?”
I repeated the word slowly.
