Maya looked toward him.
“Why did you say directly?”
Adrian’s face changed.
There.
Another layer.
“What?”
“The house benefited all of us.”
Maya stared.
“You mean vacations.”
“Yes.”
“Parties.”
“Yes.”
“Simone’s business.”
He hesitated.
Maya laughed.
“Exactly.”
Adrian rubbed his forehead.
“Simone used the property for several photo shoots and private events.”
“How many?”
“I don't know exactly.”
“Dad.”
“Maybe ten.”
Maya stared.
“Paid events?”
“Some.”
“Did she pay rent?”
“No.”
“Would someone else?”
“Yes.”
“So she used my trust’s house to make money.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
Maya looked almost amused now.
Not because it was funny.
Because the adults had apparently hidden enough information to fill every room.
“Did the trust know?”
“The corporate trustee knew the family used the property.”
“Not her business.”
“I don't believe so.”
Maya stared.
“You're trustee too?”
“Co-trustee.”
She looked toward the door.
“Of course.”
Adrian said:
“I need to have that reviewed.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Monday.”
“Why not before?”
“Because until today I treated it as incidental family use.”
“And now?”
“Now I understand the conflict differently.”
Maya laughed.
“Because my dress is ash.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Because my decisions helped create the situation around the fire.”
Better.
Not complete.
Better.
Maya lay back down.
“Go away.”
Adrian stood.
At the door she said:
“Dad.”
He turned.
“Don't tell Grandma yet.”
“About?”
“Any of it.”
He nodded.
“Okay.”
“Except the party.”
“Okay.”
“And don't lie about why.”
He stopped.
“What should I say?”
Maya thought.
“Family emergency.”
“That's true.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“Good night.”
She did not answer.
The next morning Maya turned sixteen at 7:03 a.m.
Adrian had the birth time stored in his phone because Nia had insisted birthdays should begin at the exact minute the person actually arrived.
For ten years after Nia died, Adrian had texted Maya at 7:03.
Even when they were in the same house.
That morning his message arrived.
Happy birthday. I love you. No response required.
Maya read it.
Did not answer.
At nine, she came downstairs.
Adrian had made pancakes.
Badly.
He was an excellent cook with almost everything except pancakes.
Nia used to mock him.
Maya sat.
He put a plate down.