Harry was the man Maya left with. Her boss. The man with the car, the trips, the money, and the life she said she deserved.
***
I’d been standing in the hallway with nine-month-old Shannon in my arms.
Adele was 13, barefoot on the stairs. Piper was eight. The triplets, Penelope, Mia, and Lucille, were five and crying in the living room because they didn’t understand why their mother was packing suitcases.
Harry was the man Maya left with.
« Maya, slow down, » I had begged. « We can talk after the girls are asleep. »
« That’s all we ever do, Robert, » she snapped. « Talk. Count bills. Stretch groceries. And pretend this is enough. »
I shifted Shannon higher against my chest. « They are enough. »
Maya looked at our baby, then at me.
« For you, maybe. »