He told her, yes. She asked why he hadn't yelled. He had answered, because anger belongs to me. He doesn't get to decide what I do with it. She had carried that sentence ever since.
Now Daniel looked at her across the booth. "You want to leave Crown Bridge?" Maya's hands went still around her coffee. "I didn't say that." "You didn't have to."
She looked toward the rain. I've been there less than a month. I know, and already I'm somebody's problem. "You're not the problem." I know what you're going to say.
"Then save me the speech." That almost made her laugh. Instead, her eyes filled slightly. She blinked the moisture away before it could fall. "I worked so hard to get there."
Daniel nodded, and I don't want every classroom to become about who my father is. "It shouldn't." "But now it will." "Maybe for a while." And if I stay every time something happens, people will say I'm protected.
Daniel's voice softened. You never owe anyone suffering just to prove you're strong. Maya looked at him. If you decide Crown Bridge costs too much emotionally, you can leave. Walking away from mistreatment is not weakness.
The words surprised her. Part of her had expected him to say fight, to say stay, to tell her the Carters did not quit. Instead, he gave her a door. That made the decision harder. "What would you do?"
Daniel smiled faintly. That's exactly the question I'm not answering. "Why?" Because then it becomes my decision wearing your clothes. Maya stared into her coffee.
At the next table, a spoon struck porcelain. The old wall clock above the register ticked toward 8.30. Finally, Maya said, if I transfer because I want another school, that's one thing. Daniel waited. If I transfer because Ryan Whitmore decided I shouldn't be there, her jaw tightened.
"Then he made the choice." Maya looked back at him. "I'm staying." There was no triumph in the statement. Only quiet resolve.
Daniel nodded once. "Then stay as yourself." Before Maya could answer, Rachel approached. Evelyn's heading for the bus. Maya slid out of the booth.
"I'll walk her." Daniel started to rise. Maya shook her head. "I've got it." Outside the rain had softened to mist.
Maya held Evelyn's umbrella while the older woman leaned lightly on her arm. The sidewalk toward the Route 417 stop, shown black beneath the street lights. "You don't have to come all the way," Evelyn said. I know. "You have homework."
I know. "You've had a terrible day." Maya glanced at her. You always complain this much when someone helps you, only when they won't take money. At the bus shelter, Evelyn reached into her purse.