I played it twice.
Then I handed the phone to Maya.
She listened without expression.
“What do you think I should do?” I asked.
Maya returned the phone.
“I think you should stop asking me to decide what kind of son you are.”
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
“It is, a little.”
She looked toward Liam.
“You want me to tell you it’s all right to confront her. Or that it’s all right to forgive her. Either answer would make me responsible for what happens next.”
I absorbed that.
“You’re right.”
“I don’t want revenge, David. I don’t want them humiliated. I don’t want Ethan dragged into this.”
“What do you want?”
“I want the truth to be allowed into the room.”
The phrase was so simple that it hurt.
At six o’clock, I called my mother.
She answered immediately.
“Finally.”
“Where is Ethan?”
“With Chloe.”
“Is he safe?”
“Of course he is safe. What kind of question is that?”
“Put Chloe on.”
“David—”
“Put Chloe on.”
There was movement, then my sister’s breathless voice.
“Are you out of your mind? The hotel froze the room charges. Mark had to call three friends.”
“Is Ethan safe?”
“Yes, he’s safe.”
“Do you have enough money to feed him and get him home?”
A pause.
“Yes.”
“Then come home tomorrow.”
Chloe’s voice sharpened.
“Why? So Maya can sit there looking fragile while you accuse us of things?”
“She’s in the hospital.”
Silence.
“What?”
“She has an infection. Her incision reopened.”
“That’s not our fault.”
I closed my eyes.
I had hoped for surprise. Concern. Regret.
Anything.
“What happened to the money I sent?”
“Ask Mom.”
“I’m asking you.”
“We thought the trip would be good for everyone.”
“Everyone?”
“For the family.”
“My wife and son are my family.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No,” I said. “I don’t think I do anymore.”
My mother took the phone back.
“This is exactly what Maya wanted.”
“Maya wanted to be left alone after surgery with no food?”
“She had food.”
“She had two packets of noodles.”
“She is exaggerating.”
“I watched the security footage.”
For the first time, my mother had no answer.
The silence stretched between us.
Then she said, very quietly, “You had no right to record private conversations.”
“It’s my apartment.”
“That camera was supposed to be for burglars.”
