Chapter 55: Hidden Truth
Diane’s POV
Joan, sensing the subtle tension, deftly changed the subject. "Speaking of dinner, what are we thinking for tonight? I’m starving after that court fiasco."
My mother stood, clearly grateful for the shift in conversation. "I was planning to make herb-crusted salmon with roasted vegetables. I noticed you had some beautiful fish in your refrigerator."
"You’re cooking?" Joan asked, her face brightening. "I’ve been meaning to do something with that salmon before it goes bad."
"Consider it taken care of," my mother replied with a small smile. "It’s the least I can do for your hospitality."
As she headed back to the kitchen, Joan leaned closer to me. "Everything okay?" she whispered. "That got a little intense."
I shrugged, keeping my voice low. "I’m not sure. She’s been acting strange since the park. Distracted, almost anxious."
"She’s probably just processing everything," Joan suggested. "Finding out about the twins, seeing them on the ultrasound...it’s a lot to take in.
I nodded, but couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it than that. Something about the way she’d asked about Andrew, her insistence on meeting him... It felt significant somehow, though I couldn’t understand why, or perhaps, she’s just overly eager to meet the person who has been helping her daughter.
I pulled out my phone, checking to see if Andrew had tried to call back. No missed calls or messages. Whatever he’d wanted to discuss would have to wait.
"I think I’ll go lie down for a bit," I told Joan, suddenly feeling the fatigue that often hit me in the afternoons these days. "The appointment and picnic took more out of me than I realized."