She walked out of the coffee shop, leaving the three professionals staring after her.
Outside, she gulped in deep breaths of cool air, trying to calm her racing heart. A week ago, her biggest concern had been whether she'd have enough tip money to buy groceries. Now she had people fighting over her future like she was some kind of prize to be won.
Her phone buzzed: a text from her mother. How's the meeting going, honey?
Maya called her instead of texting back. Her mother answered immediately.
"I walked out," Maya said without preamble.
"Good for you," her mother replied, surprising her.