## Donna’s Assessment
I told Donna everything in three separate conversations over the month after the dinner, because three conversations was what it took for me to arrive at my own understanding of what had happened.
Donna is not someone who edits her opinions. This is one of the main things I value about her. She said things like: “That was a deeply strange thing your daughter did,” and “I have to say, I like the sound of these Lawsons,” and “The apology to the in-laws took guts, I’ll give her that,” and “I’m glad she’s doing the work because an apology without work is just words and words are cheap.”
She also said something that I have been sitting with since she said it.
She said: “You know what’s interesting about this whole thing? Ruth called you because she wanted the truth to be in the room. Not because she wanted to expose Paige. Just because the truth being absent bothered her enough to act.”
“Yes,” I said.
“That’s a particular kind of person. Most people would have found a way to manage it quietly. Handled it through Andrew, let Paige come around on her own schedule, not complicated the marriage. Ruth complicated the marriage on purpose because she thought the truth mattered more.”
I had not framed it that way. But she was right.
“You like her,” Donna said. It wasn’t a question.
“I do.”
“Good. You need more people like that in your life.” She paused. “So does Paige, honestly. People who don’t let her manage the truth.”