She answered sleepily.
“Claire?”
I almost hung up.
Instead, I said:
“I need to tell you something about Eric.”
Her voice changed.
“What happened?”
And for once, I didn’t protect him.
I told her everything.
The affair.
The savings.
The abandonment.
Chloe arriving early.
The NICU.
The medicine.
The phone call.
Then I told her what Eric had said.
She’s your problem.
Ask someone who cares.
The line went completely silent.
“Barbara?”
Nothing.
“Are you there?”
Finally, she said:
“He told me you left him.”
I sat straighter.
“What?”
“He said you ended the marriage.”
“No.”
“He said you didn’t want me involved with you or the baby.”
I stared at the wall.
“Barbara, he left me.”
Her breathing changed.
“He emptied our savings account and moved in with Tessa.”
Silence.
“He knew Chloe was in the NICU.”
Still nothing.
“He never came.”
Then Barbara said two words.
“I see.”
Her voice had become frighteningly calm.
“I’ll be there soon.”
Before I could answer, she hung up.
An hour later, someone knocked.
Barbara stood outside wearing a coat over pajamas.
She had grocery bags hanging from both arms.
“Where’s Chloe?”
I pointed toward the bassinet.
