Margaret continued before she could misunderstand.
“Because I was trying to adopt you.”
Daniel looked at his mother.
Claire’s lips parted.
“What?”
“I had asked what it would take to make the placement permanent.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Claire shook her head.
“No. She said you wanted out.”
“I wanted more certainty.”
Margaret leaned against the table.
“I wanted you to stop waking up afraid that every car outside meant someone had come to move you again.”
Claire stared at her.
Margaret could see disbelief fighting with memory.
“She told me your mother’s rights were still being sorted out. There were relatives they had to contact. Hearings. Reviews. I didn’t understand half of it.”
Claire whispered, “My mother disappeared.”
“I know.”
“Then she came back.”
Margaret nodded.
“Briefly.”
“You knew?”
“I knew she had been located.”
“Edith told me you knew she wanted me and that you stepped aside.”
Margaret’s face hardened.
“That woman told you a great many things.”
Claire looked toward the sink.
Daniel finally spoke.
“Why would she lie?”
Neither woman answered.
He looked at Claire.
“Was this the same Edith who became your guardian?”
Claire nodded.
Margaret’s head snapped toward her.
“What?”
Claire stared at the table.
“After two more placements, she left social services.”
Margaret felt a chill.
“When?”
“I was nine.”
