Claire understood why.

If a married man told his mother there was a room ready in his home, the mother might reasonably imagine he had spoken to the other person who lived there.

Diane had not asked to see Claire’s consent in writing before trusting her son.

Claire did not want her to feel foolish for that.

“He sent me the message this afternoon,” she said.

“I learned there was supposed to be a move when he told me it was happening.”