Chapter 8 - Marcus Tells Maya the Truth
Marcus took Maya outside.
They sat on the back steps.
“No,” he said. “Vanessa is not leaving because of you.”
Maya picked at the lace of her new sneaker.
“Does she hate me?”
Marcus chose his words carefully.
“I think Vanessa has feelings she handled badly.”
“That means yes.”
He almost smiled despite the pain.
“You’re too smart.”
Maya leaned against him.
“Did Mommy like me?”
Marcus turned.
“What?”
“Vanessa said Mommy got tired too.”
His chest tightened.
“What exactly did she say?”
Maya began crying.
Vanessa had told her that children could make adults leave.
That Maya’s mother had been “exhausted” before she died.
Maya had interpreted it as abandonment.
But Maya’s mother, Elena, had died from complications following a sudden
aneurysm.
She had adored her daughter.
Marcus wrapped Maya in his arms.
“Your mother did not leave you.”
Maya sobbed.
“She died wishing she could stay.”
That night, Marcus understood the deepest damage Vanessa had caused.
Not missing money.
Not canceled lessons.
May you like
She had taught an eight-year-old to believe love disappeared when she
became inconvenient.
