But her voice had changed.
Quieter.
Like some part of her already knew.
“Your mother told me something else today,” I said.
“Something I had no idea about.” I kept my voice as steady as I could.
“She told me that when she came to find me, she was pregnant.”
The room went very still.
Claire’s bag slid off her shoulder.
She didn’t reach to catch it.
“She told me your name,” I said.
“She told me you’re forty years old.
She told me you have two children.” I stopped.
“I’m sorry.
I know this is — I know this is a lot to hear from a stranger.”
“You’re not a stranger,” Claire said.
The words came out strange, almost automatic, like she hadn’t fully decided to say them.
She looked at her mother.
