PART 4 – ENDING: Maya waited until Sophie went into robotics practice before approaching me.
“You don’t have to do that.”
We were standing in the Northbridge corridor outside the library.
Students passed around us.
I folded the sponsor form.
“I haven’t offered.”
“You were going to.”
“Apparently everyone can predict me now.”
“I’ve had practice.”
She shifted her backpack higher.
The duct tape had been replaced.
Not by a new backpack.
Maya had repaired the old one carefully with black fabric tape from the community center.
For some reason, I liked that.
“Why don’t you want me to?” I asked.
She looked toward the library doors.
“Because Sophie likes me.”
“I’m aware.”
“And you’re doing all this because of her.”
“Partly.”
“And because of your wife.”
“Partly.”
“So if I say yes, I’m basically becoming some family project.”
There was no hostility in her voice.
Only fear dressed as logic.
“No.”
“You’re starting a fund.”
“We’re considering starting a fund.”
“You’re meeting with the board.”
“Yes.”
“You’re paying lawyers.”
“Arthur would be deeply offended if he heard you suggest I pay him promptly.”
Maya almost smiled.
I continued.
“The fund has nothing to do with whether I become your educational sponsor.”
“It obviously does.”
“No.”
She folded her arms.
“Then why you?”
Fair question.
I looked through the nearby window.
Across the courtyard, Sophie’s robotics team was gathering around a table.
I could see her arguing enthusiastically with another child while Ms. Bennett attempted to redirect them toward the robot.
“Because I know what it’s like to believe stability means nothing changing.”
Maya said nothing.
“I spent two years keeping my house exactly the same because I thought change meant losing Claire again.”
“That’s different.”
“Of course it is.”
I looked back at her.
“But I think I understand a little about wanting something permanent so badly that you stop trusting temporary things.”
Her expression softened.
Only slightly.
“You could change your mind.”
“Yes.”
That answer surprised her.
I could have promised I never would.
Once, I probably would have.
Instead I said, “People can always change their minds.”
“That isn’t comforting.”
“No.”
“But I can tell you what I’m choosing now.”
She waited.
“I’m choosing to be available.”
“For school meetings?”
“For school meetings.”
“Emergency calls?”
“Yes.”
“Teacher conferences?”
“Yes.”
“What if I fail something?”
