Chapter 2
Grandma reached for the second letter so quickly that I stepped backward.
"Give it to me, Maya."
Her voice sounded different.
Not angry.
Afraid.
I clutched the paper against my navy dress.
Arthur moved between us.
"Evelyn, stop."
She stared at him.
"That letter is addressed to me."
Arthur nodded.
"It is."
"Then she has no right to hold it."
He looked at the document in my other hand.
"Marcus placed it inside Maya's sealed instructions. We need to follow the directions he left."
Grandma's face tightened.
"What directions?"
Arthur took a smaller folded sheet from the envelope.
He read it.
Then looked around the funeral reception.
"Marcus instructed that the enclosed statement be read in the presence of family witnesses."
Grandma shook her head.
"No."
I looked up.
"Why not?"
She stared at me.
For one second, I thought she might answer.
Instead, she grabbed my shoulder.
"Because grown-up matters are none of your business."
I flinched.
Arthur immediately stepped closer.
"Take your hand off her."
She released me.
A few people whispered.
Grandma straightened her pearl necklace.
Then she forced a smile.
"I'm simply trying to protect my granddaughter."
I looked down.
Protect me?
She had been trying to send me away.
My wrist still hurt.
Arthur asked one of the funeral directors to bring us into a smaller sitting room.
He invited two relatives who had been close to Grandpa.
Aunt Renee, my mother's older sister.
And Uncle Thomas, Grandpa's younger brother.
I knew both of them.
Aunt Renee visited at Christmas.
Uncle Thomas brought me books on my birthday.
But neither lived nearby.
Grandma walked ahead of us, angry and silent.
I stayed close to Arthur.
When we entered the room, he offered me a chair beside Aunt Renee.
She immediately pulled me into a hug.
"Oh, baby."
I began crying.
She stroked my braids.
"I'm so sorry about Grandpa."
I buried my face against her shoulder.
"I miss him."
"I know, sweetheart."
Grandma sat across from us.
Her hands were clasped so tightly that her knuckles had turned pale.
Arthur opened his briefcase.
He placed several documents on the table.
Then he looked directly at me.
"Maya, before we continue, I want you to understand something."
I nodded.
"Your grandfather loved you very much."
My eyes filled.
"He knew you were worried about what would happen after he died."
I nodded again.
Grandpa and I had talked about that.
Three nights before he died, I sat beside his bed.
He could barely lift his head.
But he held my hand.
"Sunshine," he whispered, "whatever happens, remember that you belong."
I asked whether Grandma would let me stay.
He squeezed my fingers.
Then promised me I would never have to sleep somewhere I didn't feel safe.
I didn't understand how he could promise that when he was dying.
Now I was beginning to.
Arthur continued.
"Your grandfather established a trust for you."
I frowned.
"What's a trust?"
He smiled gently.
"It's a legal arrangement that allows responsible adults to manage property for someone until that person is older."
I looked at Aunt Renee.
"Like when Grandpa saved money for school?"
"Something like that," she said.
Arthur nodded.
"The house has been placed in the trust for your benefit. Your grandfather also left money for your education and living expenses."
I stared at him.
"Can Grandma still make me leave?"
Arthur paused.
I saw him choose his words carefully.
"Your housing and care will be handled according to the law and the arrangements your grandfather made. Nobody gets to decide simply by shouting at you."
I felt my shoulders relax.
Aunt Renee squeezed my hand.
"You won't be alone."
Then Arthur turned toward Grandma.
"Evelyn, Marcus also left you instructions."
She looked at the door.
"I don't want to hear them."
Uncle Thomas frowned.
"What's wrong with you?"
Grandma snapped.
"Stay out of this, Thomas."
He leaned forward.
"That child just buried her grandfather. Why were you dragging her toward the door?"
Grandma looked away.
Arthur lifted the letter.
"Evelyn, would you like to read this privately first?"
She shook her head.
"Burn it."
The room fell silent.
I stared at her.
"Burn Grandpa's letter?"
She looked at me.
"Maya, be quiet."
Aunt Renee pulled me closer.
Arthur's face hardened.
"That won't happen."
He unfolded the paper.
Then began reading.
"Evelyn, I know what you did with Danielle's money."
I stopped breathing.
Danielle.
My mother.
Grandma's expression collapsed.
Arthur continued.
"I also know why you wanted Maya removed from the house."
My stomach tightened.
I looked toward Grandma.
She was shaking.
Arthur read the next line.
"The financial records are in the blue ledger. Arthur has been instructed where to find it."
Grandma suddenly stood.
"STOP!"
Uncle Thomas stared at her.
"What money?"
Grandma looked toward the door.
Arthur remained calm.
"Evelyn, sit down."
She shook her head.
"No."
Then she pointed at me.
"That child has caused enough trouble."
I felt a sting behind my eyes.
Aunt Renee stood.
"Don't you dare blame Maya."
Grandma laughed bitterly.
"Of course you're defending her."
Aunt Renee stepped closer.
"She's nine!"
I looked at Arthur.
"What did Grandpa mean about Mommy's money?"
He sat beside me.
His face softened.
"Your mother left certain savings and benefits for your care."
I frowned.
"Grandpa always paid for my things."
Arthur nodded.
"Yes."
"Then where was Mommy's money?"
He hesitated.
"That's what we need to investigate."
Grandma reached for her handbag.
"I'm leaving."
Arthur stood.
"There are records that must be preserved. Please don't remove or destroy anything connected to Danielle's accounts."
She stared at him.
Then said something strange.
"You'll never find the blue ledger."
My heart began pounding.
Arthur went still.
He hadn't told her where it was.
And I remembered something.
Grandpa had once shown me a blue notebook hidden behind a wooden panel in his library.
He called it his book of promises.
He made me promise never to tell Grandma where it was.
I looked toward Arthur.
Then whispered, "I know where Grandpa kept a blue book."
Grandma turned sharply.
May you like
Her face went white.
And suddenly, I realized that a secret Grandpa had trusted me with might be the reason Grandma wanted me gone.
