Chapter 4: The Woman Who Wanted My Mother's Place
On Monday morning, Vanessa made breakfast as if nothing had happened.
She placed a plate of waffles in front of me.
"Eat up, Maya.""
I stared at the food.
Dad was already dressed for work.
He looked tired.
"Morning, sweetheart.""
"Morning, Daddy.""
Vanessa poured coffee into his mug.
"Marcus, I think we should all have dinner together tonight.""
Dad glanced at her.
"Why?""
"Because this house has become uncomfortable.""
She gave me a small smile.
"And I think it's time we started acting like a family again.""
I didn't answer.
Dad looked at his watch.
"I have a meeting. We'll talk later.""
He kissed my forehead and left.
The front door closed.
Vanessa waited until his car disappeared.
Then she placed her coffee cup on the counter.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?""
I looked up.
"What?""
"Your father defending you.""
I shook my head.
"I didn't ask him to.""
"Of course you didn't.""
She sat across from me.
"You know, Maya, adults have relationships too. Sometimes children don't understand that.""
I looked at my waffles.
"Okay.""
"Your father and I were supposed to start a new life together.""
I didn't answer.
"But everything revolves around you.""
She reached across the table and moved my plate.
"Your school. Your clothes. Your mother's photographs. Your little emotional problems.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"Mom isn't a problem.""
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"Don't start.""
I pushed my chair back.
"I'm finished.""
She stood.
"Where do you think you're going?""
"To school.""
"Come back here.""
I stopped.
She leaned forward.
"Your father won't be home tonight until late. So I suggest you and I have a conversation about how things are going to work from now on.""
I wanted to call Dad.
But my phone was upstairs.
"Can I go now?""
Vanessa looked at the clock.
"Go.""
I grabbed my backpack.
At school, I couldn't concentrate.
During math, I accidentally wrote the wrong answer three times.
Mrs. Miller noticed.
"Maya, are you feeling okay?""
I nodded.
She pulled a chair beside me.
"You seem distracted.""
I stared at my notebook.
"Can I tell you something?""
"Of course.""
"Do you think someone can be nice to you when other people are watching but mean when nobody else is there?""
Mrs. Miller became very still.
"Yes, sweetheart. Unfortunately, that can happen.""
"How do you know who's telling the truth?""
She placed her hand on the desk.
"People's actions matter more than their promises.""
I looked at her.
"Should I tell my dad?""
"Is there something happening at home?""
I hesitated.
Then I told her about the drawing.
The photographs.
The letter.
And the things Vanessa said about my mother.
I didn't tell her everything.
But Mrs. Miller listened without interrupting.
When I finished, she asked, "Does your father know?""
"Some of it.""
"Would you like me to speak with him?""
I shook my head.
"Please don't make him sad.""
She looked at me gently.
"Maya, protecting yourself isn't the same as hurting someone you love.""
Those words stayed with me.
When school ended, Dad was waiting outside.
He was holding a small paper bag.
"Surprise.""
I smiled.
"What's that?""
"Your favorite cookies.""
We drove to a little bakery near the school.
Dad bought hot chocolate for both of us.
Then he asked, "How was your day?""
"Fine.""
He looked at me.
"Just fine?""
I nodded.
He waited.
Finally, I told him what Mrs. Miller had said.
Dad didn't get angry.
He simply listened.
When I finished, he reached across the table.
"Your teacher is right.""
I frowned.
"About what?""
"You shouldn't have to protect me from the truth.""
He squeezed my hand.
"I'm your father. Protecting you is my job.""
I looked down at my hot chocolate.
"Are you going to divorce Vanessa?""
Dad didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "I don't know what will happen between Vanessa and me.""
My heart sank.
"But I know what will happen between you and me.""
He leaned closer.
"You will always have me.""
That evening, Vanessa was waiting in the living room.
She had changed into a black dress and arranged three plates on the dining table.
"You're late.""
Dad set his keys down.
"We stopped for hot chocolate.""
Vanessa looked at me.
"Of course you did.""
Dad noticed her tone.
"What's that supposed to mean?""
"Nothing. Dinner is ready.""
We sat down.
For the first ten minutes, nobody spoke.
Then Vanessa placed her fork down.
"I've been thinking about our future.""
Dad continued eating.
"Go on.""
"I think Maya would benefit from spending some time with another family.""
I looked up.
"What?""
Vanessa gave me a patient smile.
"Not forever, sweetheart. Just a little break.""
Dad slowly put down his fork.
"Explain.""
"Your sister has children. She has more space. Maybe Maya could stay there for a while.""
I had never met Dad's sister.
She lived in another state.
"Why would I go there?"" I asked.
Vanessa ignored me.
"Marcus, we need space to rebuild our marriage.""
Dad stared at her.
"You want me to send my daughter away?""
"I want us to have a chance.""
He pushed his chair back.
"Your chance doesn't require her absence.""
Vanessa stood too.
"You always make me the villain!""
Dad's voice remained controlled.
"Then stop doing things that hurt my child.""
She pointed at me.
"She's manipulating you!""
I froze.
Dad stepped between us.
"Don't you dare.""
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"You don't understand what it's like living with a man whose entire world revolves around a child.""
Dad stared at her.
"Then why did you marry a father?""
She had no answer.
After dinner, Dad took me upstairs.
He tucked me into bed.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to meet Daniel.""
"Your lawyer?""
"Yes.""
"Are you going to tell him about Vanessa?""
"I'm going to tell him everything.""
I reached for his hand.
"Daddy?""
"Yes?""
"Can she send me away?""
His expression softened.
"No one is sending you anywhere.""
He kissed my forehead.
After he left, I heard him speaking downstairs.
The conversation was different this time.
He wasn't angry.
He sounded frightened.
"Daniel, I need the original documents.""
A pause.
Then:
"Yes, the ones signed before the wedding.""
Another pause.
"Because I just found out she has been contacting the bank.""
I sat up.
My bedroom door was slightly open.
Dad continued.
"She's been asking about Maya's trust.""
My heart started beating faster.
May you like
Then I heard him say something that made me stop breathing.
"Daniel, if she has been forging my signature, I want to know immediately.""
