She looked past them at the luggage.
“You two are standing here with enough stuff to move in.”
Diane insisted Mark had said she could stay.
Claire did not deny that Mark had invited her.
She drew a line around what that invitation meant.
“You’re welcome inside as a guest. You’re not moving in today.”
Diane’s response had been simple.
“My son lives here.”
“Yes.”
“Then move, sweetheart. These bags are heavy.”
Claire did not move.
“The luggage stays outside until Mark and I have an actual conversation.”
That was when Lisa laughed and reminded her that Diane was seventy-four.
Claire had looked directly at her.
“Yes, Lisa. Mark mentioned that. It continues to be true.”
Diane’s expression hardened.
“My son does not need permission to let his mother into his house.”
And then Lisa began recording.
Looking back, Claire thought that might have been the strangest part.
