Page 57 of The Best of Friends

“Did you expect it to?”

“Honestly? Yes.”

Rebecca knew she was different, but not in ways that would matter to her mother.

She started to say that she hadn’t taken the necklace, but after all this time, what was the point? She would have, if she’d thought of it. Instead, taking the fall for Jayne had suited her. She’d used that fight as an excuse to leave.

“I am different, Mother, but I doubt you’ll believe me.”

“What are your plans, now that you’re back? Make more trouble? Is this about your brother? You’ve always resented him.”

The unfairness of the statement burned. David was the favorite, the wanted child. Rebecca had been angry and hurt, but she’d never resented her brother. She just wanted the same kind of treatment.

“You mean will I get in the way of your marrying him off?”

Elizabeth looked startled. “What are you talking about?”

Rebecca relaxed a little. “David tells me everything. We’re close. We have been for years. Didn’t he mention that? When I left, he’s the one I went to. Your precious son has been watching out for me. Someone had to. I knew nothing about being on my own. Not that you worried. Or bothered to get in touch.” Even Blaine had come to check on her, but not Elizabeth. “You must have been relieved to have me gone.”

Elizabeth stood. “I refuse to rehash our past. You may find it interesting, but I don’t.”

“That’s it? You don’t have an explanation? One of your children disappears and you’re fine with that?”

“What do you want from me?”

A little caring, Rebecca thought bitterly. A hint of maternal feeling. “Nothing,” she said. “Which is what you’ve been doing, so it will feel very familiar.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips together. “I see it’s still all about you. Very well. Tell me why you’re back.”

“No.”

Elizabeth crossed to the table and picked up her purse. “Very mature. Impressive. How proud we all are of you.”

“Jonathan doesn’t have any complaints.”

To her credit, Elizabeth’s calm facade didn’t even crack. “He’s been a good and loyal friend to your father and me. I hope you’ll treat him with the respect he deserves.”

“Did you? Did you like having sex with him, Mom? Did you talk to Dad about it?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. As to your reasons for returning, keep them secret if you like. My concern is your brother. David is ready to settle down. I want him to be happy.”

“With the right sort of girl.”

“Do you think he could be happy with the wrong sort?” Elizabeth crossed to the front door, then turned back. “The problem with you, Rebecca, is that you like to play at being just like everyone else, then you get angry when you’re treated that way. There’s nothing wrong with the world of privilege. There never has been. You could have had everything. Instead, you tossed it all away. Play whatever game you want. I don’t care.”

She left. Rebecca stared after her, refusing to feel the sharp pain in her heart.

“You never have,” she whispered to the empty room.

Jayne pulled the cookie sheet of mini taquitos out of the oven, glanced at the clock on the stove, and swore. She was running late. She set the taquitos on the cooling rack, then glanced around her kitchen to see what else had to be prepped.

David walked in and saw the cookie sheet. “Those look good.”

“Don’t even think about it. You can wait until everyone else gets here.”

“Bossy. I like it.” He winked at her.

“Then you’ll enjoy carrying in that bowl of tortilla chips and the salsa. Does everything fit on the coffee table? Will we have room for drinks?”