I stared at her.
“What?”
“Twenty-five years ago. The money from Grandpa’s safe.”
“Everyone said Mom stole it.”
Susan looked ashamed.
“That’s what we let everyone believe.”
My voice rose.
“You knew she was innocent?”
“I knew enough that we should have asked more questions.”
“Then who took it?”
Susan wouldn’t answer.
That evening, I drove directly to Mom’s house.
She put water on for tea, though neither of us drank any.
We sat on her couch.
“Mom, Aunt Susan told me.”
Mom’s face changed.
“She said you didn’t steal Grandpa’s money.”
She stared at her hands.
“Who did?”
“Emily, please.”
“You let everyone believe you were a thief for twenty-five years.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I thought it would only be temporary.”
“What does that mean?”
She swallowed.
