I hesitated.
“Because I didn’t want one anymore.”
She stared at me.
I finally said the words I’d avoided for three years.
“And because I wanted people to stop judging me by what I owned.”
Darren looked up.
“What does that mean?”
I took a breath.
“After your father died, I was tired of people asking about the properties, the investments, the business. Some relatives became very attentive when they thought there might be money available. Others expected me to fund their plans.”
I ran a finger along the edge of the envelope.
“I wanted a quieter life. So I stopped displaying what I had.”
Darren frowned.
“But you let me think you were struggling.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I looked at him.
“Because I wanted to know whether you would still care for me if you believed I had nothing to give you.”
He sat very still.
Then he said, “You were testing me.”
It sounded uglier when he said it aloud.
I didn’t deny it.
“Yes.”
He pushed his chair back.
“Mom, Dad died. You moved out of the life we knew. You started wearing clothes you never would have worn before. I thought you were having trouble adjusting.”
I swallowed.
“I was.”
“Then why not tell me how you felt?”
“Because every time I tried to discuss anything difficult, you seemed too busy.”
He shook his head.
“That isn’t the same as giving me the truth.”
