Chapter 12 - Judith knew about the commissions
Judith had another uncomfortable truth.
She knew Rachel received planner commissions.
“How much?” I asked.
“Not exact amounts.”
“Did you know vendors paid her?”
“Yes.”
“Did Thomas?”
“I assumed.”
“Did you tell him?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Rachel works hard.”
That was not an answer.
Judith continued:
“She organizes everything. Family weddings. Holidays. Charity dinners. None of you appreciate how much time that takes.”
“So commissions were payment?”
“I thought so.”
Maybe reasonable.
Then I asked:
“Did you know Hale guarantee backed her clients?”
“No.”
That distinction became central.
Judith had protected Rachel because she viewed every question as criticism of an underappreciated daughter.
Thomas protected Rachel because he thought confidence would help her succeed.
Mark protected peace because conflict with Rachel exhausted him.
May you like
I stayed quiet because I was the newest adult at the table and did not want to look like I was auditing my in-laws.
Every silence gave the mechanism room.
