Chapter 5 - MARCUS COULD NOT BLAME HIS MOTHER FOR EVERYTHING
Marcus came to the apartment the next morning.
Maya had gone there with her sister after leaving Ruth’s house.
She did not let him inside.
They spoke through the half-open door.
“I’m sorry.”
Maya stared at him.
He looked destroyed.
Good.
Not because she wanted him suffering.
Because remorse without discomfort is often just language.
“I believed her,” he said.
“Yes.”
“I shouldn’t have.”
“No.”
“I was angry.”
Maya’s hand tightened on the door.
“You told me you wanted my pregnancy ended.”
His face changed.
“I didn’t mean—”
“Stop.”
He did.
She looked directly at him.
“Your mother lied. You chose what to do with the lie.”
Marcus swallowed.
“I know.”
“No. I don’t think you do.”
Her voice shook now.
“You could have asked me.”
He nodded.
“You could have asked for a test.”
“Yes.”
“You could have called Daniel.”
“Yes.”
“You could have spent one night being uncertain.”
His eyes filled.
“Yes.”
“Instead you decided I was guilty because being furious felt easier than being afraid.”
May you like
Marcus looked down.
That sentence followed him for months.
