"Mrs. Fennel told me things yesterday," I said spitefully. "Without my asking."
"Oh? What things?"
"Things about herself, mostly."
"Oh," she said as if that wasn't anything.
"And about your mother."
Her eyebrows nearly jumped over her forehead. "What did she say?"
"Only what you know, Ava. Her dying wasn't her fault. Daddy knew what would happen to her. Now I know the truth as well."
"Good for you," she said. "Now you know."
"She told me she was Daddy's older sister."
"Did she?"
"You knew that. You told Marla. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Didn't I?"
"You know you didn't, Ava."
She shrugged. "What difference does it make?" She started to turn away to leave, paused, and turned back. "You know why you're learning more things now, don't you?"
I didn't want to say it, but I knew, deep down I knew, but was still trying to keep it buried.
