Chapter 5 - The Groceries at the Door
Maya chose the harshest version of the safety plan. She canceled her door code, told Ellie's school that Elaine could not pick her up, and declined the promotion because it required monthly travel. The raise would have covered childcare. Without it, Maya sold the piano Ellie loved and moved money from the dental fund to rent. Elaine called the decision punishment. "Your father made one mistake," she said. Maya answered, "Then, tell the county he was driving." Elaine hung up. Rachel sent groceries but included no note. Maya returned them. Her pride cost forty-eight dollars and left a shelf empty. Ellie watched the bags leave and asked whether food could be guilty. That question followed Maya into the interview. There, Ellie tapped the moon zipper twice before describing the heat. Maya nearly stopped the session. Instead, she let Nora continue, knowing each answer might protect Ellie later while hurting her now. Safety no longer felt clean. It felt like choosing which wound would remain.
