Before Marin can yell, demand to know whose business it is if not theirs, Raj says, “When you are hurt, it is our business.”
“I’m not hurt,” Gia cries out, begging both of them. “I’m fine, I promise. It’s not a big deal!”
“Who says?” Marin demands, losing patience. “Bruises on your stomach, on your back.” She reaches out, grabbing Gia’s hand and pulling up her shirtsleeves to reveal the most recent. “A new one on your arm. Are you stupid enough to think this is right?”
“You forgot the one on my face. When you slapped me,” Gia says coldly, silencing the room. She cups her own cheek, facing Marin head on. “Did you remember that one?”
Marin does not look at Raj but can feel the anger vibrating off him. The truth she has failed to reveal. “I never meant to hurt you.”
“No, no one ever does.” Gia grabs her backpack and starts to head up the stairs. “I have homework.”
“Gia.” Raj’s command stops her in her tracks. She pivots on the stairs to face him. “Last chance, Beti,” he says, love lacing his words. “Who did this to you?”
“Please, Daddy,” Gia whispers. She grasps the banister with her other hand. Marin can see the whites of her knuckles as she holds on tight to the only thing she can. “I’m OK. Please let it go. For me.” With that she turns and runs up the stairs and into her room, slamming her door shut.
They convene in Marin’s office. First, they call all the parents they are friendly with. Marin has spent her career making decisions that affect thousands, and yet, these calls are the hardest she has ever made. Each is answered by voice mail. Marin asks the parent to call back without explaining why. Marin hangs up, no closer to an answer than before.
They are on a road with no exits, no danger signs to warn them. It’s hard not to storm upstairs and throw open Gia’s door, demanding answers. But Gia is not the one to give them. She has made her decision clear.
Raj starts to snap his fingers, demanding Marin’s attention. He holds his cell phone to his ear. “Yes,” he says to someone on the other line, “this is Raj. How are you? We definitely need to catch a game.” He makes small talk for a few more minutes. Marin jumps out of her chair and stands alongside him, listening. “Marin and I have a favor to ask of you.” Raj falls silent, listening. Seconds later a smile breaks onto his face. “Tonight is perfect. Thank you.” Hanging up, he beams at Marin. “The Ahbrams. Eight o’clock tonight.”
They don’t tell Gia where they are going. There’s no reason to. For now, she and they stand on opposite sides. She is drowning, choosing to swim in the ocean against the currents while Marin and Raj are desperately searching for a life raft to save her. Fear propels Marin. She knows in her heart that no matter how hard she and Raj try, if Gia chooses to drown, they will be helpless to do anything but watch her.
They arrive at the house fifteen minutes early. They’ve been here numerous times over the years for parties, playdates, and barbeques. The Ahbrams live in Palo Alto, on a hill overlooking the city. Robert is the CEO of a start-up company, while Michelle is an attending physician at the teaching hospital in San Francisco. Their daughter, Amber, has been a good friend of Gia’s since grade school.
Marin feels humiliation creeping over her as they stand on the doorstep after ringing the doorbell. Years of keeping her childhood shrouded in secrecy makes sense. How do you demand the respect of your peers when you stand in the shadow of shame? Warring with herself, she offers a halfhearted smile when Robert opens the door.