Chapter 3 - THE SENTENCE MAISIE HAD MEMORIZED
Naomi took Maisie home that evening.
Graham agreed immediately.
Vanessa protested.
“She’s scheduled to stay here until Monday.”
Graham turned.
“No.”
One word.
No explanation.
Vanessa looked genuinely stunned.
Naomi did not feel victorious.
Her daughter was shaking beside her.
That was not victory.
At home, Maisie climbed into Naomi’s bed.
She held the rescued handmade card against her chest.
Naomi did not interrogate her.
She made toast.
Put on Maisie’s favorite cartoon.
Waited.
Eventually Maisie whispered:
“Mommy?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“Are you mad I practiced?”
Naomi’s throat closed.
“No.”
“Vanessa said Daddy gets sad when I say the wrong thing.”
“What wrong thing?”
Maisie recited it almost mechanically.
“Mommy forgot me because she has a new life.”
Naomi stopped breathing.
The wording was too adult.
Too polished.
“Do you say that a lot?”
Maisie nodded.
“When?”
“Before Daddy gets home.”
Not once.
Not one birthday.
Repeated rehearsal.
Naomi remembered Graham calling after preschool orientation.
Why would you miss something this important?
She had not missed it.
The start time had been changed.
Naomi remembered Maisie saying her Christmas present never arrived.
It had.
Naomi remembered the week Maisie suddenly refused FaceTime.
Vanessa had said she was “too emotional afterward.”
Tiny incidents.
Each looked different now.
Maisie tugged Naomi’s sleeve.
“There’s another one.”
Naomi forced herself to stay calm.
“Another what?”
“Practice.”
Maisie lowered her voice.
“If Daddy asks where I wanna live…”
Naomi’s stomach tightened.
“…I say here.”
Naomi stared at her daughter.
“Did Vanessa tell you why?”
Maisie nodded.
“Because then Daddy won’t lose me.”
Naomi felt cold.
Lose her?
May you like
Graham had never been in danger of losing Maisie.
Unless someone had convinced him that he was.
