Page 36 of A River of Crows

“What is it? “Anna asked, slamming on the brakes.

“Mom’s home. You can’t pull up.”

“Oh gosh.” Anna brought her hand to her forehead. “Sorry.” She reversed and pulled to the side of the street opposite Sloan’s home. She reached behind and took Sloan’s hand. “I’m so sorry. For all this.”

“Thank you.” Sloan let go and wiped her eyes. “Thanks for helping my dad. You’ve been a real friend to him.”

Anna raised her eyebrows. “Has your father not explained who I am?”

Before Sloan could process the question, she spotted movement from the corner of her eye. Mom was standing in the front yard. “Shoot, I gotta go,” Sloan said, climbing out of the car.

Sloan walked toward her mom but noticed Caroline’s gaze travel past her to Anna. Sloan hoped Mom didn’t remember what Mrs. Robertson looked like or wonder where Jenny was.

“Hi, Mom!” Sloan made her tone bright as she approached. She turned back toward Anna’s car and waved. “Bye, Mrs. Robertson. Thanks for the ride.” Anna didn’t even look confused. She stared back at Sloan’s mother, matching the intensity of Caroline’s glare.

“That’s Jenny’s mom.” Sloan stepped into the house, relieved her mom followed.

Mom cocked her head. “No, it’s not.” Sloan’s legs wobbled. She’d been caught. Mom gestured to the couch. “Sit down. Let’s chat.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t think you’d understand.”

Caroline held up a hand. “I’m not mad you wanted to see your father. You’re only a child. There’s so much you don’t understand.”

Sloan wanted to argue, but Mom was calm, and Sloan wanted her to stay that way. “Do you really believe Daddy killed Ridge?”

“Yes,” her mom said without hesitation. “You witnessed the violence.”

Sloan tensed her shoulders. “Only when he was dreaming.”

“Well, maybe that’s what happened at the creek.”

“Then it was an accident.”

Mom gave a curt nod. “Yes, but people have to pay for accidents, for mistakes.”

“But twenty years for one mistake?”

“Oh, Sloan. It wasn’t just one mistake. Can’t you understand that? Jay made a mistake every single day he refused to get help, every day he lied to us.”

Sloan stared down at the thick carpet. She couldn’t argue with that.

“Are you even a little mad? About all the lies?”

“Yes,” Sloan admitted. She looked up and saw tears streaming down her mom’s face. Doreen was right. There were stages in grief, and this meant Mom was out of denial. “I’m sorry I lied.”

“Sometimes it feels like no one cares about me. I lost my son, the only man I’ve ever loved, and now, I’m losing you.”

“But you’re not,” Sloan said.

Mom grabbed a tissue from the table to wipe her face. “That’s how it feels when I see you with your father’s other family.”

Sloan narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“Well, Anna, of course. Every time Jay left, he was going to be with her. And now you are leaving with her too and keeping it a secret. Just like he did.”

“Wait. Anna is Daddy’s wife?” Sloan’s mind raced, searching for answers. How had she been so stupid?

Mom’s hand flew to her chest. “They didn’t tell you?”

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