Chapter 3 - Vanessa Had Been Speaking for Marcus
Marcus bought Maya the sneakers.
Then he asked the store manager for a private fitting room.
He wanted Maya away from the crowd.
Vanessa followed.
Marcus stopped her.
“Not yet.”
Inside, Maya changed shoes.
Marcus sat beside her.
“What else has Vanessa told you I said?”
Maya hesitated.
“Nothing.”
He knew his daughter.
That answer meant everything.
“Maya, you won’t get anyone in trouble by telling me the truth.”
Her eyes filled.
“She said you’re busy.”
“That part is true sometimes.”
“She said I shouldn’t call you at work.”
Marcus frowned.
“When?”
“When I got sick.”
He remembered that day.
Vanessa had told him Maya had a mild stomachache and wanted to stay
home.
Maya looked confused.
“I threw up three times.”
Marcus felt anger rise.
“What else?”
Maya stared at her new shoes.
“She said you wanted me to stop dance lessons because they cost too
much.”
Marcus had paid the entire year in advance.
He had never canceled them.
Vanessa had been using his name to control Maya.
May you like
And suddenly Marcus wondered how many conversations with his daughter
had never reached him.
