Diane Knew

The restaurant was a polished neighborhood steakhouse.

Mark’s mother Diane was already seated with his father and younger sister, Courtney.

Rachel barely touched her drink.

Diane noticed immediately.

“Everything okay?”

Before Mark could respond, Rachel said:

“Actually, maybe you can answer something.”

Mark whispered:

“Rachel.”

She ignored him.

“Did you know Mark has been paying Lauren’s rent?”

Diane’s face changed.

Not confusion.

Recognition.

Rachel immediately noticed.

“You knew.”

Diane looked at Mark.

That was all Rachel needed.

“Oh my God. You knew.”

Diane lowered her voice.

“Lauren has had a very difficult year.”

Rachel stared at her.

“That’s not what I asked.”

Diane paused.

“Yes. I knew he was helping her.”

Rachel looked around the table.

Then at Courtney.

Courtney wouldn’t make eye contact either.

Rachel’s stomach dropped.

“You knew too?”

Courtney quietly said:

“I knew about some of it.”

Now Rachel understood.

She was the only person at the table who hadn’t known where her own money was going.