I didn't talk about the incident with Agnes, even though, after that episode, I bedded her twice. Then, when I met her the 3rd time, rather than inviting me to have sex with her, Agnes said she had to talk to me. It was clear it had to do with Mom.

We sat on the sofa, and Agnes said, "Yesterday, after you left the house, your mother had a long chat with me. She told me everything that happened between you two, and asked how I would have behaved if I were in her shoes. I pretended to be in shock and then mumbled, 'For quite some time, I've noticed...