Lisa looked away.
Mark tried to pull Claire aside.
“Can we talk inside?”
Claire shook her head.
“Not while your mother thinks I tricked her.”
“Claire—”
“No. You made this public when you made promises on my behalf. She called 911 because she believed you.”
Mark went still.
Claire turned to Diane.
“I’m not angry that you need somewhere to stay.”
Diane said nothing.
“I’m angry that I was told you were moving into my home after everyone else had apparently already discussed it.”
Diane glanced at Mark.
Then at Lisa.
For once, neither of them interrupted.
Claire continued.
“If Mark had called me yesterday and said, ‘My mom is in trouble. Can we figure something out?’ this would have been a completely different conversation.”
Diane’s shoulders dropped slightly.
“But he didn’t,” Claire said. “And showing up with all of your belongings doesn’t turn his promise into my agreement.”
