Chapter 4 - AMANDA’S VERSION OF WHAT HAPPENED
Amanda started calling relatives before I did.
By the next morning, I was apparently having a breakdown.
Her message to cousin Jennifer said I had “stormed out because the kids didn’t get luxury accommodations.”
Luxury accommodations.
A normal guest bedroom in my mother’s house.
Amanda told Aunt Carol I became aggressive.
She told Greg I threw sleeping bags at Margaret.
That part was true.
She left out who threw them first.
My phone finally rang from Aunt Carol.
I answered because she had always treated me kindly.
“Claire?”
“Hi.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“The children?”
“Sleeping.”
She lowered her voice.
“What happened?”
I told her.
No embellishment.
No speeches.
When I finished, there was silence.
Then:
“They put Lily and Noah in the hallway?”
“Yes.”
“And Tyler and Brooke got the guest room?”
“Yes.”
“Tyler is twenty-two.”
“I’m aware.”
Another pause.
“Who paid for the lodge?”
I knew where this was going.
“I did.”
“All of it?”
“Most of it.”
“Claire.”
“What?”
“Amanda told everyone she and Margaret arranged it.”
“They arranged plenty. I paid the invoices.”
Carol sighed.
“You canceled it?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
I blinked.
“You’re not mad?”
“At you?”
“I thought everyone would be.”
“My dear, I am seventy-eight. If I want a lodge, I can book one.”
I smiled for the first time that morning.
Then she added:
“But you should know something.”
“What?”
“Amanda’s been telling people you weren’t paying much this year because money was tight after the divorce.”
I sat up straighter.
“What?”
“She said she covered the expensive parts.”
My irritation became something else.
“Why would she say that?”
“I assumed you two agreed.”
We had not.
After the call, I opened the family group chat.
Messages were everywhere.
Where is the shuttle confirmation?
Has anyone heard from catering?
Amanda, what time is lodge check-in?
Then Amanda:
Claire is being difficult. I’m fixing it.
I almost replied.
May you like
Instead, I put the phone down.
Let her fix it.
