Chapter 9 - Vanessa Finally Explained The Airport
Vanessa asked to meet Carol the following morning.
They sat in the hotel courtyard.
For once, Vanessa wore no sunglasses.
“I was angry you came.”
“I noticed.”
“I thought Michael invited you because he couldn’t tell you no.”
“He invited me.”
“I know that now.”
Carol waited.
Vanessa admitted she had spent months presenting the trip as proof that
she and Michael were financially successful.
When Carol appeared at the airport, Vanessa feared the truth would
become obvious.
So when the stranger asked about the vacation, Vanessa lied.
Then Carol’s presence made her feel exposed.
“I wanted you to disappear from the story.”
Carol absorbed the sentence.
“That’s a remarkably honest way to put it.”
Vanessa looked down.
“I’m sorry.”
“For lying?”
“Yes.”
“For humiliating me?”
“Yes.”
“For taking the money?”
Vanessa looked up.
“I didn’t steal it.”
“I didn’t say you did.”
Carol’s voice remained calm.
“You accepted generosity while pretending the giver contributed
nothing.”
Vanessa nodded.
“I’m sorry for that too.”
May you like
Carol accepted the apology.
She did not restore the reservation.
