We pulled up the recording from the day of the crash.
Walter leaned toward the screen. “Oh, there she comes.”
“Shh.”
He moved even closer. “She’s opening your purse.”
“I see it.”
“Granny… that’s your glasses case.”
On the screen, Lisa removed the case and slipped it into her handbag.
My stomach turned.
For years, I had confused refusing to believe the worst about Lisa with loving her.
I couldn’t do that anymore.
Walter whispered, “Why would she do that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Because she wants me?”
I looked at him. “She’s wanted you for four years.”
“Why?”
That was exactly what I needed to understand.
Before confronting Lisa, I went through Daniel’s papers.
Insurance.
Taxes.
Medical bills.
Then I found what I had been looking for.
I read the first page three times.
“Granny?”
I turned the papers facedown.
“You okay?”
“I think I just figured something out.”
“About Aunt Lisa?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Something I should’ve seen years ago.”
“What is that?”
“I’ll explain when you’re older.”
He narrowed his eyes. “That’s exactly what Aunt Lisa says when she doesn’t want to answer me.”
“Please don’t compare me to your aunt today.”
After Walter left, four years of Lisa’s behavior began fitting together.
I had been asking the wrong question.
Her interest in Walter suddenly looked very different.
I needed to hear the explanation directly from her.
So I called.
“Could you come over?”
She sounded surprised. “Are you okay?”
“I need help with some paperwork.”
“What paperwork?”
“For Walter.”
“Of course. I’ll be there tonight.”
Her immediate reaction told me almost as much as the documents did.
She had practically made my next move for me.
Lisa arrived at seven.
Walter was upstairs.
I sat at the kitchen table wearing my new glasses.
She noticed them immediately. “New pair?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Maybe no driving for a while, though.”
I smiled. “Funny you should mention driving.”
She stopped taking off her coat. “What?”
“Why did you take my glasses?”
Her face went blank. “I didn’t.”
“I have a video.”
The color disappeared from her face. “Video of what?”
“You opening my purse and putting my glasses case into your bag.”
Lisa stared at me.
Then she sat.
“Mom…”
“Why?”
“It wasn’t what you think.”
“Then tell me what it was.”
I thought I already understood where the conversation was heading.
