Chapter 15 - Halfway Across the Table
Eight months later, Maya kept her job but lost the promotion. A school care cooperative covered afternoons and cost what the raise would have paid. Her piano was never replaced. Rachel completed training, paid monthly childcare, and accepted that money bought no contact. The sisters used email because apologies became arguments. Warren moved into a memory community after wandering from day care. Some days he knew Ellie; other days he asked whether Maya had children. Elaine sold the house, rented nearby, and entered caregiver counseling. She stopped asking the church to intervene. Supervised visits were approved, but Ellie chose when to begin. Maya remained beside her. On the first afternoon, Elaine sat across from them at a library table with open hands. She did not bring gifts or explain herself. Ellie kept the purple backpack on her lap. When Elaine apologized, Ellie listened without tapping twice. Then, she unclipped the moon-shaped zipper charm and slid it halfway across the table.
