Chapter 8 - The Crack in the Foundation
“Mom?” I said, my grip tightening around the phone. “How did you get this number? I thought I blocked you.”
“I’m calling from a landline at the grocery store,” Mom answered, her voice trembling slightly. “Please, Claire... don't hang up. Just listen to me for one minute.”
I stood still in the quiet kitchen, the hum of the refrigerator filling the background. “I’m listening.”
“Vanessa... Vanessa hasn't left her bedroom in three days,” Mom whispered, tears catching in her throat. “The school board sent an official letter this afternoon. They’re terminating her contract. They found... they found other irregularities in her counseling logs. She’s facing a formal investigation.”
A cold chill washed over me. As angry as I was at Vanessa for her cruelty, hearing that her life was completely unraveling didn't bring me joy. It just felt heavy.
“She brought this on herself, Mom,” I replied steadily. “You can’t steal from people, mock their pain, and expect there to be no consequences.”
“I know! I know she made a terrible mistake!” Mom cried out softly, the defensive wall finally crumbling completely. “I called you because... because you were always the strong one, Claire. You and Lily always weathered the storms. I thought... I thought protecting Vanessa was protecting our family. But I realize now I just enabled her until she destroyed herself.”
It was the closest thing to an apology my mother had ever uttered in her entire life.
May you like
“It’s too late to fix it with a phone call, Mom,” I said softly. “You chose your favorite, and you let her step all over my daughter to do it. You made your bed.”
Before she could reply, I ended the call and placed the phone face down on the table.
