Chapter 10
Margaret met Jessamine months later.
Not arranged by me.
They encountered each other at a charity luncheon.
Apparently conversation became inevitable.
Margaret told me only because Jessamine later referred to it.
“What did you say?”
I asked.
Margaret smiled.
“That she was a hypocrite.”
Subtle.
Then:
“And that I was too.”
Interesting.
Margaret had known about Jessamine’s adoption for years.
Never exposed it.
Good.
But she had also watched Clarice Vane enforce perfection and called it elegant parenting.
She had admired Jessamine as a teenager for being “so composed.”
Never asked why a twelve-year-old looked terrified after spilling water.
Adults see symptoms and compliment them when they are convenient.
Margaret owned that.
Jessamine apparently cried.
Then became angry.
Then asked:
“Why didn’t anyone tell me I didn’t have to be grateful every minute?”
Margaret answered:
“Because gratitude made you easy.”
That sentence reached me later.
Easy child.
Easy guest.
Easy daughter.
Never asks.
Never complains.
Never risks being unchosen.
Tobin was not easy.
Thank God.
He threw peas.
Interrupted.
Demanded the same story four times.
Asked whether guests liked him.
His security allowed inconvenience.
Jessamine had interpreted that as entitlement because insecurity had been praised in her as manners.
Understanding deepened.
May you like
The engagement remained over.
Both can coexist.
