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I blinked, remembering what Mom had told me.
WasJackiethe friend that had betrayed her?
“Did you ... tell the town she didn’t want to be your friend anymore, by chance?”
“I toldtwopeople,” she said, shaking her head. “Which meant everyone knew. I learned my lesson after that, but the damage was done. And technically, it was my fault. Donny swooped in, told me I didn’t need friends if I had him and ... then we got married.”
I winced. That had almost happened to me. I could have ended up with Trevor in the end and he’d been planting the seeds of doubt about Wren, even if I didn’t listen.
“Shit,” Tammy said. “I remembered that drama. We all thought we finally had something on the girl destined to be in the city who thought she was better than us. Turns out, she was smarter.”
“That’swhat happened with Mirabelle?” Kerry asked. “God, I didn’t know so much of what went down.”
“You were ten when it happened,” Tammy said. “And besides, you can’t know everything.”
I thought Kerry would fight us on it, but she let out a long breath. “You’re right. I can’t. I guess I should have trusted that Jackie knew what she was doing. You always liked Cain.”
“He’s sweet under that gruff exterior,” she said. “Like with Eric?—”
“ThatI’ve seen,” Kerry interrupted. “He’d do anything for the kid.”
“Including talking to people he was sure hated him,” I added. “He didn’t think anyone would give him the time of day, but he did it anyway.”
“And he really needs these letters?” Kerry asked.
“He does,” I replied.
“Well, we could tell them what Jackie told me,” Kerry said. “Then I bet people would understand.”
“I’m not about to go waving my abusive ex-husband story around town to get sympathy. That’s staying in this diner,” Jackie said firmly.
“I suppose that’s fair.” Kerry sighed. “I kinda wish I hadn’t told everyone what I did. I sure look dumb now.”
“No fucking kidding,” Tammy added.
“I’m sure between the four of us, we can figure out some way to help,” Isaid.
“Isn’t he mad at you?” Jackie asked. “I thought you two had broken up over this.”
“We’re not at a full breakup, but heismad. Maybe he won’t see past this, but I want him to keep Eric either way.”
“Me too. Somehow, I like the kid with him.” Tammy shrugged. “Who knew?”
“I do too,” Kerry admitted. “I’m in for fixing this.”
“Good,” I said. “Because I’m pretty sure most people will listen to the gossip queen if she clarifies some things.”
“Do people really call me that?”
“Yes,” we all answered.
“And it’snota compliment,” Tammy added.
“Okay, okay. I now know to have better boundaries.” She smiled. “But itisa pretty cool title.”
“You just need to use it for good,” I replied, and gestured to the table.
Kerry sat and looked at us expectantly. “All right, I will. Now, where do we begin?”