Derek was trying to protect her from the embarrassment of hearing the truth directly from her parents.
“Was that what you were asking him about yesterday?” I asked.
She nodded.
“I wanted him to talk to you about letting me audition.”
My hands tightened around the steering wheel.
“What did he say?”
“He told me I needed to accept your decision.”
I took a slow breath.
“Why didn’t you tell Dad?”
“He said Dad agreed with you.”
I pulled into a safe parking lot for a moment.
I needed to collect myself before continuing.
***NEXT PAGE
Audrey was quiet.
Then she whispered:
“Mom, are you going to tell Derek I told you?”
I turned toward her.
“Yes. But you’re not in trouble. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
She looked relieved, but still frightened.
Then she said something I would remember for a long time.
“He told me you always say
