Chapter 4 - Claire did not steal the presents
Claire was seven.
Marietta’s daughter.
She had been holding Aubrielle’s gift bags because Marietta gave them to her.
Not because she asked.
Claire told her father, Nathan Cole, that evening:
“Mom said Aubrielle had enough.”
Nathan and Marietta were divorced.
Joint custody.
He called me.
“I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t do it.”
“Claire thinks she stole from Aubrielle.”
“She didn’t.”
“She’s crying.”
I asked to speak to her.
Nathan put her on speaker.
“Uncle Weston?”
“Hey, Claire.”
“I didn’t want the purple bag.”
“I know.”
“Mom said Grandma bought it with family money.”
“That doesn’t make it yours.”
“I know.”
“Did you ask Marietta for Aubrielle’s presents?”
“No.”
“Then this is not your fault.”
She sniffed.
“Is Aubrielle mad?”
“She’s upset. But I’ll tell her what you said.”
Then Claire whispered:
“Mom gives me her stuff sometimes.”
My grip tightened on the phone.
“What stuff?”
“Birthday things.”
“What birthday things?”
“Cards.”
“Whose cards?”
Long pause.
May you like
“Aubrielle’s.”
That opened a different door.
