Her fingers shook slightly as she typed. The truth was more complicated than she wanted to admit to Sarah, who had both parents and didn't understand what it felt like to be abandoned by someone who was supposed to love you unconditionally.
Diana had looked healthier yesterday. Happier. Like California sunshine and some guy named Jack had fixed whatever was broken inside her that made her unable to be a real mom. And part of Iris, the stupid childish part that still remembered being seven and wanting her mommy to show up at school events like everyone else's moms, wanted to believe it.
Wanted to believe Diana had actually changed. That this time would be different. That maybe Iris could have a real family instead of just her and Zay against the world.
But the smarter part of Iris, the part that had learned not to get her hopes up when Diana promised she'd be home for dinner or when she said she'd definitely make it to Iris's art show this time, knew better.
