Chapter 10 - The Signature
Andrea examined the gala consent form while Malcolm stared at his name. The letters were close, but the final stroke was too sharp. Someone had imitated his signature from old paperwork.
"Do not call her and accuse her," Andrea said. "Let's document the original and ask the charity who submitted it."
Celia Grant admitted the consent form had arrived by email from Sloane's private address. She sounded less certain when Andrea asked whether both parents had approved.
"It's a family event," Celia said.
"It's still a child's appearance," Andrea replied.
The board suspended Maya's participation pending confirmation. Sloane sent Malcolm eleven messages in ten minutes. The first accused him of ruining everything. The last said, YOU'LL REGRET MAKING ME LOOK WEAK.
The following morning, Maya met a child advocacy specialist named Nora Reyes. I wasn't allowed in the room, and I was glad. A child deserves space to tell the truth without checking a loved one's face for the right answer. Afterward, Nora would not share the details of the interview, only the safety recommendations approved for the family.
Maya came to my room carrying a drawing. It showed a little girl between two houses. A purple bird hovered above her with a speech bubble that said I CAN TELL.
"Did I do okay?" she asked.
"You don't have to pass a test," I said. "You just have to be Maya."
She climbed into the chair and looked at the ceiling. "What happens if Mommy says I'm lying?"
"Grown-ups will sort out the grown-up part."
"Promise?"
"I'll work on it every day."
May you like
A messenger brought flowers half an hour later, supposedly from Harbor House. Tucked among the white roses was an envelope addressed to me. Inside was a copy of my medical power of attorney, marked with a red circle around an unfamiliar signature.
Someone had tried to give Sloane control of my medical decisions.
