My mom stumbled, her arms flailing as she tried to regain her balance, but the ground near the lake was soft. She fell straight into the muddy bank, landing hard. Brown water splashed up, soaking her dress and staining the fabric instantly.
Gasps rippled through the group. Clara lowered her camera.
Patricia immediately covered her mouth in mock horror.
“Oh my goodness!” she shrieked. “I didn’t mean to. She just slipped!”
I stood frozen, my mind struggling to catch up with what I had just seen.
Aaron rushed forward and helped my mom to her feet. Mud dripped from the hem of her dress. She tried to smile, always trying to keep the peace.
“It’s okay,” she said, though her voice shook. “Accidents happen.”
Patricia kept talking.
“I barely touched her. It’s not my fault she can’t walk in heels. Honestly, who wears shoes like that near water?”
I looked around. Everyone knew. No one said it, but everyone saw what she had done.
