Before We Say Goodbye

CHAPTER 7: The Truth

Emma confronted her mother the next morning.

Margaret Carter was sitting at the kitchen table when Emma walked in.

"Mom."

Her mother looked up.

"What's wrong?"

"Did Daniel come here eight years ago?"

Margaret went still.

Emma knew.

She didn't need an answer.

"You did."

Her mother looked down.

"Emma..."

"You told him I didn't want to see him."

Silence.

"Why?"

Margaret's eyes filled with tears.

"I was afraid."

"Of what?"

"You were eighteen."

"I know."

"You were going away to university."

"I wasn't going anywhere."

"You were growing up."

Emma laughed bitterly.

"So you decided to lie to me?"

"I thought I was protecting you."

"You weren't protecting me."

"I know."

"You destroyed something that mattered to me."

Margaret cried.

"I made a terrible mistake."

"Eight years is not a mistake."

"I know."

Emma's voice broke.

"Do you understand what I lost?"

Margaret couldn't answer.

"Birthdays. Christmases. Graduation. Every stupid little thing that best friends are supposed to share."

Her mother wiped her eyes.

"I know."

"No, you don't."

Emma turned away.

"I loved him."

Margaret closed her eyes.

"I know."

Emma looked at her.

"I still do."

Her mother wiped her eyes.

"I know."

"No, you don't."

Emma turned away.

"I loved him."

Margaret closed her eyes.

"I know."

Emma looked at her.

"I still do."