My mother gasped. To me it sounded like she was exasperated. Raymond tightened his grip on her arm.
Manny’s gaze pleaded with me to understand and forgive.
My heart was beating so hard I thought I might have an attack any moment. Manny had cleared up so much. We could have had a decade and a half together if I hadn’t left. If whoever removed the letter and muddied the jacket had stayed out of our business. I was bleeding with regret and loss.
Manny’s head turned, and he stared at my mother.
“I called the next day, but your mother wouldn’t let me talk to you or even tell me where I could contact you. Your mother told me to get lost and stay lost for the rest of my life. I don’t understand. Why would a mother do that to her son?”
“Why would a mother tell her son to stand up his date?” s
