Chapter 21 - TESSA CONFRONTS NAOMITessa asked Naomi coffee alone.
Naomi almost refused.
Then agreed public café.
Tessa began:
“I hated you before I met.”
Naomi smiled.
“I gathered.”
“I saw photos.”
“What photos?”
“School event. Graham posted.”
“You stalked Facebook?”
“Yes.”
Naomi laughed despite.
Tessa:
“You were sitting where I should.”
Naomi stopped.
“Tessa.”
“I know.”
“I’m not saying rational.”
She cried.
“You had Christmas mornings.”
“Dentist.”
“Soccer.”
“You knew teachers.”
“I knew nothing.”
Naomi:
“I didn't take those.”
“I know.”
“You could be angry at lost time without making me thief.”
Tessa nodded.
“I know now.”
Naomi:
“And I was jealous of you.”
Tessa blinked.
“Why?”
“Because no matter what I did, five words erased me.”
“You’re not my mother.”
Tessa understood.
“I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault he said.”
“I encouraged some.”
“Yes.”
They sat.
Tessa:
“Did you ever want him call Mom?”
Naomi:
“Once.”
Honesty.
“When?”
“After he broke arm and screamed for me in ER.”
“I thought maybe.”
“Then hated myself.”
Tessa's eyes filled.
“Thank you for being there.”
Naomi cried.
That sentence.
She had wanted recognition not title.
“Of course.”
Tessa:
“I can’t give you my place.”
“I don't want.”
“But I can acknowledge yours.”
Naomi nodded.
Not friends yet.
But no war.
Then Tessa:
“If Graham screws up, call me.”
Naomi laughed.
“He will hate.”
“Good.”
Alliance maybe.
But they agreed direct.
They also addressed slap.
Tessa:
“I’m still angry.”
“You should.”
“I need know never.”
“Never.”
“I believe you.”
That mattered.
Two women left café not hugging.
But lighter.
Eli later suspicious.
“What did you talk?”
Naomi:
“Adult stuff.”
“About me?”
“Some.”
“Secrets?”
“Private, not dangerous.”
May you like
Therapy distinction.
He accepted reluctantly.
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