Chapter 2: The Signature That Wasn't Mine
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
I stared at the permission slip in Maya's trembling hands.
It was from her elementary school. The title read Emergency Student Support and Counseling Referral.
My daughter's name was printed beneath it.
My name appeared on the parental consent line.
But I hadn't signed it.
"Where did you get this?"" I asked.
Maya swallowed.
"Vanessa put it in the trash.""
I looked at my wife.
"Did you sign my name?""
Vanessa placed her wineglass on the counter.
"Marcus, please. Let's not turn this into another interrogation.""
"Did you sign my name?""
She rolled her eyes.
"It was paperwork. I handled it because you were traveling.""
"That's my signature.""
"You're her father. I knew you would agree.""
I examined the paper.
The handwriting looked convincing at first glance. But the final letter of my last name was wrong. I had signed enough business contracts to recognize my own signature.
Someone had copied it.
"What was the referral for?"" I asked.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Maya has behavioral issues.""
My daughter immediately shook her head.
"I don't.""
Vanessa pointed at her.
"See? This is exactly what I'm talking about. She never accepts responsibility.""
I crouched beside Maya.
"Sweetheart, what happened at school?""
She looked at Vanessa before answering.
I gently took her hand.
"You can tell me. Nobody is going to punish you for telling the truth.""
Maya's voice was barely audible.
"Mrs. Collins asked why I was always hungry.""
My jaw tightened.
"Your teacher?""
Maya nodded.
"She noticed I didn't eat lunch. She asked if I wanted to talk to the school counselor.""
I looked at the form again.
"Why would Vanessa need to sign this?""
"She said I wasn't allowed to talk about things that happened at home.""
Vanessa laughed sharply.
"That's ridiculous. I was protecting our family from unnecessary interference.""
I stood.
"From a school counselor?""
"From people who don't understand our household.""
I looked at Maya's plate.
"Apparently, people understand more than you think.""
Vanessa grabbed the notebook from my hand.
"Enough. This is my house too, and I will not be treated like a criminal because a child misunderstood a few household rules.""
"Give me that notebook.""
"No.""
"Vanessa.""
She held it against her chest.
"You have been gone for three weeks. You have no idea what it takes to manage this family.""
I looked at Caleb.
He was standing beside the sofa now, holding his bowl of chips.
"Caleb, come here.""
He glanced at his mother.
"Why?""
"Because I want to ask you something.""
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Leave my son out of this.""
I didn't raise my voice.
"Then tell me why he gets fresh meals while Maya gets his scraps.""
Caleb looked at the floor.
Vanessa immediately answered for him.
"Because he has a healthy appetite. Maya refuses to cooperate.""
"Caleb, did your mother tell you to leave food on your plate so Maya could eat it?""
He hesitated.
Vanessa's voice sharpened.
"Caleb.""
The boy flinched.
That reaction told me more than his words ever could.
I softened my voice.
"You aren't in trouble, son. Just tell me the truth.""
Caleb looked at Maya.
Then he whispered, "Mom said Maya had to earn her dinner.""
Vanessa's face turned red.
"Caleb, go upstairs!""
He hurried away.
I watched him disappear.
Then I turned back to Vanessa.
"Earn her dinner?""
"Children need responsibilities.""
"She does her homework. She cleans her room. She helps with the dishes.""
"Not properly.""
"What does an eleven-year-old have to do to deserve a normal meal?""
Vanessa said nothing.
I took out my phone.
"Marcus, don't you dare call anyone.""
I looked at her.
"Who are you afraid I'll call?""
She grabbed my wrist.
"You're making a huge mistake.""
I gently removed her hand.
"I'm calling Maya's school.""
She went pale.
I dialed the number printed on the permission slip.
After a few rings, a woman answered.
"Good afternoon, Lincoln Elementary. This is the front office.""
"My name is Marcus Reed. I'm Maya Reed's father. I need to speak with her teacher or the school counselor.""
There was a brief pause.
"Mr. Reed? This is Principal Harris. We have been trying to reach you.""
My stomach dropped.
"About what?""
"I think it's best if you come in tomorrow morning.""
"Why?""
Another pause.
Then she said something that made the room seem to tilt.
"Your daughter has been coming to school hungry for almost two months. We have documented several incidents.""
I looked at Vanessa.
She was shaking her head.
"Did anyone tell her stepmother?"" I asked.
"Yes. We contacted Mrs. Reed three times.""
"And what did she say?""
The principal lowered her voice.
"She told us Maya was exaggerating to get attention.""
My hand tightened around the phone.
"Did you speak to Maya privately?""
"Yes. And Mr. Reed, she told our counselor something concerning. We were hoping to discuss it with you directly.""
"What did she say?""
"I don't want to discuss sensitive details over the phone.""
I glanced at my daughter.
She was watching me with frightened eyes.
"Please tell me whether she's safe.""
The principal paused.
"Mr. Reed, I think you should take her somewhere she feels safe tonight.""
I ended the call.
Vanessa immediately stepped toward me.
"That woman has always had it out for me.""
I didn't answer.
I went upstairs, packed Maya's clothes, grabbed her schoolbag, and collected her favorite stuffed rabbit from her bed.
When I returned, Vanessa was waiting at the bottom of the staircase.
"You're not taking her anywhere.""
I stopped.
"Watch me.""
She blocked the front door.
"Marcus, if you walk out with her, don't expect me to welcome you back.""
I looked at the woman I had married two years earlier.
The woman who had promised to love my daughter.
The woman who had smiled at Maya during our wedding and told her she would never have to feel alone again.
"Vanessa," I said, "I think you've misunderstood something.""
She narrowed her eyes.
"What?""
"This marriage was supposed to give Maya another person to love her.""
I opened the door.
"Not another person to fear.""
Maya slipped her hand into mine.
As we stepped outside, Vanessa shouted behind us.
"You'll regret this! You don't even know what that girl has been hiding!""
I stopped.
Slowly, I turned around.
"What did you just say?""
Vanessa's expression changed.
For the first time, she seemed to realize she had said too much.
Then she smiled.
"Ask your daughter what happened to her mother.""
My heart stopped.
May you like
Because Maya's mother had been dead for three years.
And Vanessa had always claimed she knew nothing about the circumstances of her final hospitalization.
