“I was leaving a message.” I was being evasive and she knew it. Debra had a special x-ray vision where she could see through people right into the heart. Up until now she had accepted the darkness that she had glimpsed inside mine, but now I saw a change in her. Judgment.

“So you’re not going to tell me.” Another step brought her up to where the driveway met the grass. “I’ve welcomed you into my family, loved you like a daughter, given you nothing but respect and kindness. And you still feel the need to lie to me? Especially when it pertains to bringing my granddaughter home safely?”

“I appreciate all you’ve done for me, Mom—”

“No, don’t Mom me. Not now. Not when you’re lying to me.” One more step brought her into the yard.

“I swear to you, I don’t know where Vera is. I had a possible guess, but it turns out I was wrong.” I wanted to tell her, but I couldn’t. Not if there was any other way.

Debra shrugged. “Alright. I’ll let you have your lies.” One last pace carried her face to face with me on the sidewalk, jagged tree branches stabbing me. In this space, beneath the awakened windows, her angry lines glowed like a campfire storyteller. “It’s dirty business, digging up secrets, Marin. It’s just as dirty burying them. I know this from experience.”

I had no idea what secrets Debra could possibly have, with her perfect husband and perfect family and perfect life. Her past wasn’t up for scrutiny, though; mine was. Her distrust burrowed into me like the wormlike creatures in Tremors. She wasn’t here to tell her secrets, but rather to find out mine.

“Did you come here to eavesdrop and then tell me this?”

“No, I came to bring you and Cody dinner.” She handed me a covered casserole, which I awkwardly held while my purse strap slipped down my shoulder. “And to ask if you’re cheating on Cody.”

“What? Why would you even think that?”

“I have eyes, Marin. We all know how flirtatious Oliver can be, and normally it’s part of his charm, when it’s kept in check. But I see how you and Oliver act toward one another.”

I couldn’t believe the hypocrisy. The gall of her to charge me with cheating when I watched Felicity make out with my husband!

“Before you start accusing me of this, you need to get your facts straight. It’s actually the other way around, Debra.” I emphasized her name with scorn. “You should ask Felicity about what happened between her and Cody.”

“About what? What happened?” Debra perched her hands on her hips.

“I watched Felicity kiss Cody. She practically threw herself at him.”

“Are you sure that’s what you saw? Because that doesn’t sound like either of them.”