She nodded, then whispered, “He said you always say nice things to my face and complain about me when I’m not there.”
I pulled into a parking lot because I couldn’t safely keep driving.
At home, Scott listened without interrupting.
Audrey showed us the messages Derek had sent her.
Then Scott called him.
Derek arrived with his wife looking annoyed.
“We need to talk about the girls,” he said. “Come over tomorrow. Bring Laura.”
Derek arrived with his wife looking annoyed.
“This couldn’t wait?”
I placed Audrey’s screenshots on the table.
One message read, Your mom says no auditions. Don’t make things harder by asking her.
Another said, Your teacher thinks you should step back. I’m trying to spare you.
“Derek, why are you sending these?”
Laura read them slowly.
“Derek, why are you sending these?”
“Audrey misunderstood. I was trying to manage expectations.”
