Chapter 2
Dad didn't touch the food again.
He stood beside my chair, staring at the small camera above the kitchen doorway.
Vanessa suddenly moved toward him.
"Marcus, don't be ridiculous. You don't need to check anything."
He turned slowly.
"Why not?"
"Because your daughter is exaggerating."
My stomach tightened.
There it was again.
The word Vanessa always used when I told the truth.
Exaggerating.
If I said she hadn't given me dinner, I was exaggerating.
If I said she'd locked the pantry, I was exaggerating.
If I said she'd called me useless, I was exaggerating.
Dad looked at my plate.
Then at my trembling hands.
"Sit down, Vanessa."
She blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"I said sit down."
Something in his voice made her obey.
Dad gently pushed my plate closer.
"Maya, I want you to eat."
I stared at the chicken.
"Am I allowed?"
His face changed.
For a moment, he looked as though I'd slapped him.
"Of course you're allowed."
I glanced at Vanessa.
Dad noticed.
He moved his chair between us.
"Nobody is taking this food away from you."
I picked up my fork.
My fingers were shaking so badly that I dropped it.
Dad reached for another one.
"It's okay, baby."
He placed it beside my plate.
"Take your time."
I ate a small bite of chicken.
It tasted wonderful.
But my stomach felt tight with fear.
Dad pulled out his phone.
He opened the security camera application.
Vanessa leaned forward.
"Marcus, we should discuss this privately."
He didn't look at her.
"Why?"
"Because you shouldn't embarrass me in front of a child."
Dad stared at her.
"You're worried about embarrassment?"
She folded her arms.
"I'm worried about our marriage."
He looked back at the phone.
"So am I."
I watched his thumb move across the screen.
He selected the recordings.
The camera had been installed twenty-three days earlier.
Dad chose that afternoon.
The first video showed the empty kitchen.
Then Vanessa appeared.
I could see myself walking into the room after school.
I was wearing my school uniform.
I watched as the little girl on the screen opened the refrigerator.
That little girl was me.
Vanessa immediately appeared behind me.
Dad turned up the volume.
"Close that refrigerator," Vanessa's recorded voice snapped.
"I just wanted some yogurt," I said.
"You had lunch."
"But I'm hungry."
"Then drink water."
Dad stopped the video.
He looked at me.
"She wouldn't let you have yogurt?"
I shook my head.
Vanessa waved her hand.
"Children can't eat whenever they feel like it."
Dad didn't answer.
He pressed play.
On the screen, I closed the refrigerator.
Then I walked away.
Vanessa locked the refrigerator door using the small childproof latch she'd installed.
Dad stared.
"Why is there a lock?"
Vanessa looked uncomfortable.
"Because Maya wastes food."
My father looked at me.
"Have you been wasting food?"
I shook my head.
"No, Daddy."
He turned toward Vanessa.
"Then why did you tell me the latch was for keeping the door from opening accidentally?"
She looked away.
He didn't wait for an answer.
He scrolled backward to another evening.
The recording showed Vanessa preparing dinner.
She placed fresh chicken, rice, and vegetables on two plates.
Then she carried them out of the kitchen.
A few minutes later, I appeared.
I stood near the counter.
"Vanessa, can I have dinner?"
Her voice came from the dining room.
"There's bread in the cabinet."
I opened the cabinet.
The screen showed me removing two slices.
Then I slowly walked upstairs.
Dad covered his mouth.
I looked at him.
His eyes were wet.
"That was Tuesday," I whispered.
He turned toward me.
"You remember?"
I nodded.
"I had a spelling test the next morning."
Dad looked down.
"I remember helping you study."
I swallowed.
"You told me I did really well."
His face crumpled.
I continued quietly.
"But I was still hungry."
Dad closed his eyes.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Vanessa stood abruptly.
"Enough."
Dad opened his eyes.
"Sit down."
"No. I'm not sitting here while you make me look like a monster."
He pointed toward the phone.
"Those are your actions."
Vanessa's face reddened.
"She needs discipline!"
Dad stood.
"Food is not a punishment."
"She's spoiled!"
"She's nine years old!"
I began crying again.
Dad immediately turned toward me.
His expression softened.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart."
I tried to stop my tears.
"It's okay."
"No."
He knelt beside me.
"It's not okay."
He took my hands.
"Has she ever made you go to bed hungry?"
I nodded.
"How often?"
I stared at the floor.
"Sometimes."
"Maya."
I looked up.
He waited.
Finally, I whispered, "A lot."
Dad pulled me into his arms.
I began sobbing against his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Daddy."
He held me tighter.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Because I made Vanessa mad."
He pulled back.
"Baby, you didn't do anything wrong."
"But she said if I told you, you'd be disappointed in me."
Dad's eyes filled with tears.
"Never."
He kissed my forehead.
"Never for telling me the truth."
Vanessa stood near the dining table.
She looked furious.
"Marcus, she's manipulating you."
Dad rose slowly.
"Go upstairs and pack a bag."
I froze.
My heart stopped.
"Me?"
He turned immediately.
"No, sweetheart."
Then he looked at Vanessa.
"You."
The room became completely silent.
Vanessa stared at him.
"What?"
"Pack your things."
She laughed nervously.
"You can't be serious."
Dad held up his phone.
"I've just watched my wife deny my daughter food."
Vanessa shook her head.
"You're choosing a child over your marriage?"
Dad looked at me.
Then back at her.
"I'm choosing to protect my daughter."
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"You'll regret this."
Dad didn't move.
"Get your things."
She stormed toward the staircase.
I watched her disappear.
My hands began trembling again.
"Daddy?"
He crouched beside me.
"Yes?"
"Is she coming back?"
He hesitated.
"Not tonight."
I leaned against him.
He held me close.
Then he looked toward the camera application again.
His expression changed.
"Maya, what's this?"
I lifted my head.
He had opened another recording.
It showed Vanessa standing near the kitchen counter.
She was holding a small notebook.
My notebook.
The one I kept hidden beneath my mattress.
Dad looked at me.
"Why does Vanessa have your diary?"
My stomach dropped.
May you like
Because there was something written in that notebook I had never wanted my father to read.
And Vanessa had promised to use it against me if I ever told him the truth.
