Anna nodded.
“He said you chose her before I left town.
But that was not true.
“I know now.
Then he hesitated.
“There’s something else.
I got a knot in my stomach.
What?
“Carol was there that day.
In my mother's house?
"Yes. I had gone on to leave a pot. Ruth thought she was already gone, but she was still in the living room.
I couldn't move.
Did Carol hear what my mother said?
Every word.
How do you know?
—Because
She told me herself. About fifteen years ago he tracked me down through my sister and sent me a letter. I never answered him.
I felt my throat closed.
“Then I knew why you were gone.
"Yes.
“And all those years I was seen to believe that you had left because you didn’t want me.
Anna looked down.
“I’m sorry.
“He didn’t say anything... and then he married me.
