Another pause.
“I see.”
Laura’s eyebrows drew together.
“I was hoping you could explain.”
“I think there may have been a misunderstanding.”
“What kind?”
Rachel sighed.
“Laura, I really don’t want to discuss this over the phone.”
“Why?”
“I just think you should talk to Mark.”
Laura froze.
“Mark?”
“Yes.”
“Why would I talk to my husband about Helena’s guest list?”
Rachel didn’t answer immediately.
Then she whispered something Laura almost couldn’t hear.
“You’d better ask your husband.”
The line went silent.
“Rachel?”
No answer.
“Rachel?”
The call ended.
Laura stared at her phone.
She immediately called back.
Rachel didn’t answer.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Laura stood in the kitchen, motionless.
Her husband, Mark, was upstairs.
He had been married to Laura for eighteen years.
He was Emma’s father.
He was the person Laura trusted more than anyone.
And yet Rachel had just told her to ask him why their daughter had been excluded from her best friend’s birthday party.
Laura suddenly felt cold.
Mark’s Explanation
Mark came downstairs twenty minutes later.
He found Laura sitting at the kitchen table.
“You okay?”
She looked up.
“I called Rachel.”
Mark stopped.
“Why?”
“About Helena’s birthday.”
His expression changed so quickly that Laura almost missed it.
Almost.
“What about it?”
“Emma wasn’t invited.”
Mark looked away.
“I thought you knew.”
Laura’s heart sank.
“Knew what?”
He rubbed his forehead.
“It’s complicated.”
That word again.
Laura stood.
“Rachel used the exact same word.”
Mark sighed.
“Laura, please don’t make this bigger than it is.”
“I asked you a simple question.”
“And I’m telling you there’s a reason.”
“What reason?”
“I can’t explain everything right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because it involves people outside our family.”
Laura stared at him.
“Our daughter is the person outside our family now?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“Then tell me what you did say.”
Mark’s jaw tightened.
“Emma shouldn’t go to the party.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t think it’s a good environment for her.”
Laura laughed once, but there was no humor in it.
“You’re suddenly concerned about the environment?”
“Yes.”
“She’s been friends with Helena for seven years.”
“I know.”
“She helped plan the party.”
“I know.”
“She was specifically told she would be there.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you deciding she shouldn’t go?”
Mark didn’t answer.
Laura took a step toward him.
“Did you tell Rachel not to invite her?”
“I spoke to Rachel.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Mark looked at her.
“Yes.”
The answer hit harder than she expected.
“You told Rachel not to invite our daughter?”
“I had reasons.”
“What reasons?”
“I told you. It’s complicated.”
“Stop saying that.”
“Laura—”
“No.”
Her voice shook.
“I want an actual answer.”