I dried my hands, faced Theresa. “Okay, fine. I’ll tell you.” Like she’d been twisting my arm. “Keep this to yourself. I don’t like to speak ill of people.” I held off until she nodded. I had to choose my words wisely since Theresa and Greg were obviously still friendly. “Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly shocking to us when Jackie left. She wasn’t happy. I’m sure Greg did everything he could, but it just didn’t work. Which, fine, right? Marriages don’t always have staying power. But to abandon your child? That’s just something I don’t understand.”

“Wait,” Theresa said. “Abandoned? You mean because she moved out of state?”

“No. I mean abandoned. No contact.”

“She doesn’t even talk to Ellen?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Damn.” Theresa was dejected. “What caused her to leave?” she asked, chewing a fingernail.

A burst of laughter from downstairs. I’m sure they were all curious how it was going up here. They’d better have the sense to leave us alone.

“Anyway, with graduation this year and everything... Parent Team often does a special mother-daughter tea right before it. And we were just thinking that maybe we could at least reach out to her. Mother to mother...” I sighed heavily. “I don’t know. Maybe that’s meddling. But I wouldn’t feel good about myself if I didn’t try, you know?” I pressed my hand to my heart. Thank you, high school acting class.

Theresa ran her finger across the kitchen counter. “No, I can see that. That’s generous of you. It’s just...”

“What?”

“Well, if she really did leave like that, then maybe it’s good she’s not in Ellen’s life. Maybe it’s good she’s not”—she whirled her finger in the air—“here anymore.”

“See? That’s why I thought I’d ask you for advice.” I poked her in the arm. “I figured you’d have perspective on the situation. And I thought maybe you might even know something more about their...family situation. If anything’s changed. I’m not close enough with Greg to ask him about all of it.” I picked up a cracker and nibbled the edge of it.

But you are.

It took a minute for her to get it. “I see, yeah. I don’t know that I am either, but—”

“I wouldn’t want to put you on the spot,” I said quickly. “This would just be if it came up, you know. Organically.”

She was thinking about it. Her shoulders were still squared defensively, but I’d worked my magic. “I could try,” she said finally.

“Really? Thanks so much.” I hugged her. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Jackie earlier. I hope you’re not mad.”

We pulled back. I smoothed my hair, lifted the tray of cheese and crackers.