Silence held the room for several seconds. Then my mother stood. “I cannot sit here and be judged by everyone.”

Richard stayed composed. “This is not a judgment. These are terms.”

She picked up her handbag. “To you, maybe.” Then she walked out.

Chapter 8 — What Kendra Knew

Kendra stayed seated. When the door closed, she looked directly at me. “Are you happy?”

“No.”

“You finally got what you wanted.”