Then Maya Saw What Lauren Had Done With the Photos

Near the closet was a cardboard box.

Maya opened it.

Inside were old photographs.

Most were of Maya and her father.

One showed them at the beach when she was seven.

Another was from a father-daughter school dance.

There was also a framed photograph of Maya’s mother, who had died when Maya was nine.

Maya lifted it out.

Her expression changed.

“Why is this in a box?”

Lauren looked uncomfortable.

“Because the room has to be cleared.”

“You packed Mom’s picture?”

“It was on the shelf.”

“So?”

Lauren sighed.

“Maya, stop looking for reasons to be angry.”

Maya stared at her.

“You put my mom in a box.”

“That is not what I did.”

“Then what did you do?”

Lauren didn’t answer.

Lauren Finally Lost Her Patience

She took the framed photograph from Maya’s hands and placed it back into the box.

“Enough.”

Maya immediately grabbed it back.

“Don’t.”

Lauren replied:

“I am trying to prepare for a baby while managing this entire house.”

“I didn’t ask you to.”

“No, you just make everything harder.”

Maya stared at her.

Lauren continued.

“Every time we change something, you act like we’re trying to erase your mother.”

Maya went silent.

Lauren realized she had gone too far.

But instead of apologizing, she said:

“That isn’t what I meant.”

Maya answered:

“Then what did you mean?”

Before Lauren could respond, they heard the front door.