Chapter 7
Dad left for the attorney's office that afternoon.
Grandma stayed with me.
She tried to make the day feel normal.
We baked cookies.
We watched a funny movie.
She helped me with homework.
But every time a car passed outside, I looked toward the window.
"What if Vanessa comes here?" I asked.
Grandma paused.
Then she sat beside me.
"Your father has made sure we have a plan."
"What kind of plan?"
"We keep the doors locked. We don't answer unexpected visitors. And if anyone makes us feel unsafe, we call for help."
I nodded.
"Are you scared?"
Grandma looked at me carefully.
"I'm concerned. But I know what to do, and I'm not alone."
I thought about that.
Being brave didn't always mean not being afraid.
Maybe it meant knowing someone would help you.
Around four o'clock, Dad called.
Grandma put him on speaker.
"How's my girl?"
I smiled a little.
"Good."
"Did Grandma let you eat all the cookies?"
"Only three."
Grandma laughed.
"That's already two more than I planned."
Dad chuckled.
The sound made my chest feel warm.
Then he said, "I have some news."
Grandma sat down.
"Go ahead."
"Vanessa's attorney contacted mine."
My smile disappeared.
"What does she want?"
Dad paused.
"She's asking to settle the financial claims privately."
Grandma frowned.
"After everything?"
"Yes."
"Is that possible?"
"We'll review the proposal, but we're not agreeing to hide anything. Angela is continuing to work with the bank and the authorities."
I looked at the phone.
"Is Vanessa going to say sorry?"
Dad was quiet.
Then he answered gently.
"I don't know, sweetheart."
I didn't like that answer.
But I knew he wasn't lying.
Later that evening, Dad came home with a paper bag.
Inside was my favorite chicken sandwich.
He sat beside me at the kitchen table.
"I talked to your school today."
My stomach tightened.
"Am I in trouble?"
"No."
"Then why?"
"Because I want to make sure you're getting support."
I stared at him.
"Support?"
He nodded.
"There's a counselor at school who helps children when things at home have been difficult."
I looked down.
"Do I have to tell her everything?"
"Only what you're comfortable sharing."
"Will she tell everyone?"
"No. She'll explain what stays private and when adults need to help keep someone safe."
I played with the edge of my napkin.
"Do you think something is wrong with me?"
Dad immediately shook his head.
"Absolutely not."
"Then why do I need help?"
He thought for a moment.
"When you hurt your ankle, we take care of it."
I nodded.
"When someone hurts your feelings for a long time, those feelings deserve care too."
I considered that.
"Will you come with me?"
"Every time you need me."
I smiled.
"Okay."
That night, I slept better than I had in weeks.
The next morning, Dad took me to school.
He walked me all the way to my classroom.
My teacher, Ms. Jefferson, greeted us at the door.
"Maya! We missed your beautiful smile."
I hugged Dad.
"Will you pick me up?"
"Absolutely."
"Not Vanessa?"
His face softened.
"Never without your knowledge and my permission. Your school has the updated pickup list."
I nodded.
Then he kissed my forehead.
"Have a good day, baby."
School felt different.
I was still nervous.
But I wasn't constantly wondering what would happen when I got home.
At lunchtime, my best friend, Olivia, asked why I'd been absent.
I shrugged.
"Family stuff."
She nodded.
"My mom says family stuff can be complicated."
I laughed.
"She's right."
Olivia handed me half her cookie.
"Want some?"
I took it.
For a few minutes, I felt like an ordinary ten-year-old again.
Then the school secretary appeared at our classroom door.
"Maya, your father is here."
My stomach dropped.
Dad wasn't supposed to pick me up until later.
I followed the secretary to the office.
Dad stood near the desk.
Beside him was Ms. Jefferson.
His face was serious.
I ran to him.
"What's wrong?"
He hugged me.
"You're okay."
That frightened me more.
"What happened?"
He looked toward the secretary.
Then he crouched.
"Vanessa came to the school."
I stopped breathing.
"Here?"
"Yes."
"Did she come for me?"
He nodded.
"But the school followed the safety plan. They didn't let her take you."
My knees felt weak.
Dad held my hands.
"She left before I arrived."
"Why would she do that?"
"I don't know."
The secretary spoke gently.
"Your teachers made sure you stayed safe, Maya."
I nodded.
But I couldn't stop trembling.
Dad took me home.
Grandma wrapped me in her arms.
I tried to act normal.
I ate dinner.
I did homework.
I brushed my teeth.
But that night, I couldn't stop thinking about Vanessa standing outside my school.
What if somebody hadn't checked the list?
What if I'd seen her and followed her because she told me Dad was waiting?
I climbed out of bed and walked to Dad's room.
He was sitting with documents spread across the desk.
"Daddy?"
He turned immediately.
"What's wrong?"
I stood in the doorway.
"I don't feel safe."
He pushed the papers aside.
"Come here."
I climbed into his lap.
He wrapped both arms around me.
"Thank you for telling me."
I started crying.
"I thought everything was over."
He kissed my hair.
"I'm working hard to make sure this ends."
"But she keeps coming back."
"I know."
His voice shook slightly.
Then he looked at me.
"Tomorrow, we're going to talk with someone who can help us make the plan even stronger."
I nodded against his chest.
He held me until I fell asleep.
The next morning, Dad received another call.
This time, it wasn't from his attorney.
It was from Daniel.
Dad listened quietly.
Then he asked, "Where?"
His face changed.
"Are you certain?"
Another pause.
Finally, he said, "I'll notify Angela."
He ended the call.
I looked up from my cereal.
"What happened?"
Dad took a breath.
"Vanessa was stopped at the airport."
Grandma covered her mouth.
Dad continued.
"Investigators had questions about the financial records. She was taken in for questioning under the proper legal process."
I stared at him.
"Does that mean she can't come back?"
Dad knelt beside me.
"It means the people handling the investigation are doing their jobs."
I wanted to feel happy.
Instead, I felt tired.
So tired.
I leaned into him.
"Can we just have one normal day?"
Dad closed his eyes.
Then he hugged me.
"Yes, sweetheart."
May you like
And for the first time, I heard him make a promise he could actually keep.
"Today, we're going to have one normal day."
