Chapter 14 - Tiffany's Version
The email went to my regional director Monday morning. Tiffany described me as a man who had abandoned his household, was harassing his wife, and was using "a private family misunderstanding" to damage a small business. She didn't mention Maya's essay or the forged-looking messages. She attached a photo of the messy kitchen and suggested I was emotionally unstable after the sudden cancellation of my flight.
My director called. "Greg, I'm not interested in your marriage. I do need to know whether this affects the team."
"I need family leave," I said. "And I should have taken it before now."
He told me how to request it. He didn't make a speech about loyalty. I appreciated that.
Monica called later to apologize. "I helped Tiffany package the videos. I didn't understand what was happening off camera. That's not an excuse."
"Do you have the original files?"
"I have the edits and the planning notes. I'll preserve them."
One note described "live child compliance" as the selling point. Another directed the videographer not to include Maya's face, because parents were less likely to challenge the footage if she remained anonymous. A line at the bottom said Maya was not to leave the set until the room was camera-ready.
At home, Tiffany had called it character building. In a business plan, she'd called it a feature.
Kelly came into the room while I was reading. "Don't spend all night watching this," she said. "Maya needs you awake tomorrow."
She was right. I sent the files to Lena and shut the laptop.
May you like
At nine, Ruth brought me a piece of paper Maya had drawn. It showed our house with three doors. On one door she wrote MOM. On another, GRANDMA. On the third, DAD. There was no door marked TIFFANY.
Then Ruth pointed out a small figure in the yard. "She drew herself outside all three," she said.
