Chapter 8
Winter came before Isaiah’s case moved again.
By then, I had learned the difference between a promising call and a final decision. I tried not to turn every new document into a date for his homecoming.
Jayden’s mother still kept a clean shirt for Isaiah in their closet.
She told me about it while we folded laundry together.
“I replaced it once,” she said. “The first one wouldn’t fit anymore.”
I held a towel against my chest.
“Does he know?”
“Yes. He tells me not to spend money on him.”
Renee smiled sadly.
“He’s going to wear it anyway.”
The review of Dad’s company records produced more evidence. Investigators questioned former employees, accountants, and the attorney involved in the original internal response.
One former accountant agreed to explain how she had been told to change descriptions on several payments.
She had kept copies.
I did not meet her. Samuel told us only what he could share. I was relieved there were other records beyond the folder Leon never sent.
Then Dad was charged in connection with the financial conduct under investigation.
I learned from Valerie before the news appeared online.
I sat down on the floor of her office.
She waited until I could breathe.
“Do I have to say something publicly?” I asked.
“No.”
“Can I still be upset?”
“Of course.”
I was relieved the case had reached that point. I was also grieving a father who was still alive.
People on campus recognized the news. Some treated me gently. A few asked questions as if I were the most convenient source.
I learned to say, “I’m not discussing it.”
Maya Grant became a name attached to a scandal. I wanted to be Maya who forgot her umbrella and worked too long on assignments.
Mom suggested I take a weekend away.
We went to Tiana’s house and cooked dinner with her. Nobody played the recording. Nobody opened a folder after eight.
Tiana put music on.
Mom danced while washing a bowl. I laughed, and the sound surprised me.
It had been months since laughter arrived without asking permission.
Dad requested a meeting through his attorney.
Valerie asked whether I wanted to attend.
I thought about it for three days.
Then I said yes, with her present.
Dad looked thinner when I entered the conference room. His gold chain was gone. He stood, then sat when I didn’t move toward him.
“Maya.”
“Dad.”
He stared at my face.
“You look tired.”
“I am.”
“I never wanted you dragged into this.”
“You threatened my tuition.”
He looked down.
“I was angry.”
“You submitted a form with my name on it.”
His attorney shifted beside him.
Dad rubbed his forehead.
“I signed it. I thought I had authority as trustee.”
“That wasn’t your name.”
“I know.”
It was the first direct admission he had made to me.
I wanted it to feel healing.
Instead, it made the old denial feel crueler.
“What about Isaiah?” I asked.
Dad closed his eyes.
His attorney reminded him they should not discuss the pending case.
I waited anyway.
Dad opened his eyes.
“I made choices I can’t undo.”
“Then stop saying everyone misunderstood.”
He nodded once.
I could not tell whether he agreed or merely wanted the conversation to continue.
He asked if I would ever visit him at home again.
“I don’t know.”
“You’re my daughter.”
“I know. I needed you to remember that when I asked about my money.”
His eyes filled.
I stood before I began crying.
Outside, Valerie asked if I was all right.
“No. But I’m glad I went.”
The next month, the state completed its review of the new evidence in Isaiah’s case. Samuel called Renee and asked us to come to his office.
I arrived with Jayden.
Samuel looked carefully at each of us.
“The new evidence undermines the conviction,” he said. “The state is not opposing the request to vacate it.”
Renee leaned forward.
“What does that mean today?”
“It means we go back before the judge. The final decision is still the court’s.”
Jayden covered his face.
I held his wrist gently.
Renee began to cry.
Samuel gave us the date.
It was three weeks away.
For three weeks, I checked my calendar every morning. I attended class, turned in assignments, and bought a scarf because the courthouse waiting area would be cold.
Renee took Isaiah’s shirt from the closet and washed it again.
The night before the hearing, Jayden called me.
“I’m afraid to believe it.”
“So am I.”
“What if tomorrow goes wrong?”
“Then we stay with your mother and keep going.”
He was quiet.
“Will you come early?”
“I’ll be there before the doors open.”
May you like
I set two alarms.
This time, I wanted the promise to be something he could count on.
