“You carried the promise.

I can carry the bag.”

He let his hand fall.

Claire had expected an argument between herself and Diane.

Now Diane was angry with the son who had put both women in that position.

Claire did not feel triumphant.

Diane had arranged her belongings around a future that did not exist, and the correction was happening in a driveway.

“Diane,” Claire said, “you don’t have to solve what happened between Mark and me.”