So we waited. On the third afternoon, Michael left the house to pick up groceries. I stayed home alone, sorting through an old box of Thomas’s paperwork in the living room. That was when I heard a car pull into the driveway. At first, I assumed Michael had come back early. But when I glanced out the window, my stomach tightened. The car door opened, and Diane Carter stepped out. For a moment, I froze. Diane rarely visited without calling first, but there she was, walking up the driveway toward the house. She knocked twice before I even had time to move.
“Evelyn?”
I took a slow breath and opened the door.
“Diane.”
She stood on the porch wearing a light gray coat, her expression polite but slightly tense.
“Hi. I was nearby and thought I’d stop in.”
Her eyes quickly scanned the living room behind me.
“You didn’t answer my message yesterday.”
“I’ve been busy.”
Diane stepped inside without waiting to be invited.
“I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
Her voice sounded friendly, but something about her tone felt different now. Sharper. As though she was searching for something.
“I’m fine.”
Her gaze moved toward the dining table where the folder of receipts sat.
“What’s all that paperwork?”
“Oh, just organizing some old records.”
She nodded slowly.
“You’ve always been good at that.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then she cleared her throat.
“So… about the payment this month?”
I forced myself to remain calm.
“Yes?”
“You mentioned there was a problem at Western Union.”
“That’s right.”
She smiled, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I was just wondering when you planned to send it.”
For ten years, that question would have sounded normal. Now it felt like a test.
“I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”
Diane relaxed slightly.
“Good. The bank doesn’t like delays.”
The words hung in the air.
The bank.
Even now, she was repeating the same story.
“Diane,” I said slowly.
“Yes?”
“Out of curiosity, how much do you think is left on the debt?”
She paused.
“Why?”
“I was just wondering.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“Well, after ten years of payments, it’s almost gone.”
“Almost?”
“Yes.”
“How much longer?”
She hesitated for a moment.
“Oh, maybe another year or two.”
I nodded slowly. Another year. Another six thousand dollars. Maybe more. I wondered if she even realized how casually she had extended the lie.
Diane glanced around the room again.
“You know, Thomas would appreciate how responsible you’ve been.”
The mention of Thomas made something tighten in my chest.
“Yes,” I replied quietly. “I hope so.”
She walked toward the door. Before leaving, she turned back to me.
“Just let me know when the payment goes through tomorrow.”
“I will.”
