‘Yes, I am,’ Anna shot back, without self-pity. ‘Dad totally parked me. I talk about it in therapy. He wasn’t capable of more. My grandparents weren’t either. I wish I could leave but I don’t know where to go.’
‘You mean leave Congreve?’ Maggie blinked, surprised. ‘You’re seventeen, almost finished. You only have one year left before college.’
‘I know, but I can’t make it here another year.’ Anna brushed a strand of hair from her troubled forehead.
‘What do you mean, “make it”?’ Maggie worried that Anna was depressed. She herself had that tendency and wondered if Anna inherited it from her, like dimples.
‘Dad was the one who wanted me to stay, but now that he’s, uh, gone, I wish I could leave. If I could get out of here today, I would.’ Anna sipped her water. ‘I already talked to James about it. He’s our lawyer. He runs the trust that pays my bills. He said I could go to any boarding school I wanted and the trust would pay. But I can’t believe that it would be any better than here. Wherever I go, I’m parked.’
‘Anna, listen.’ Maggie was formulating an idea. ‘If you wanted to, you could live with me. Would you consider that? Because I would do it in a second.’
‘I have to admit, I was wondering about that.’ Anna smiled, cautiously. ‘Like, if living with you and your family was an option for me.’
‘Of course it is! I’m your mother!’ Maggie’s thoughts raced. ‘I could get back in touch with my lawyer, and I may have to go to court, but I never lost legal custody of you, only physical, and that was way back when.’
‘I mentioned it to James, and he said that would be a formality, but that’s all.’ Anna shifted forward, with a new frown. ‘But first you should talk to him. His office is right in town. I already talked to him about you, and I talked to Ellen about you already, too. They think you abused me when I was little. You have to tell them what really happened, just like you told me.’
‘I will. I can send them the papers from your custody case. I’ll call my husband and have him scan and email them, right now. But if we can explain it to them, I would love to have you live with us! Please consider it, I would really love it so much and so would Noah.’ Maggie felt her heart open at having Anna at home with her, a part of her and Noah’s family, with Caleb and Wreck-It Ralph.
‘For real?’ Anna’s smile broadened. ‘I think it would work, I can tell from your letters and from Facebook.’
‘It would be great!’ Maggie bubbled over with excitement. ‘We have a lovely house, and the high school is only twenty minutes away, it’s terrific!’
‘I know, Lower Merion. I researched it online.’
‘Please come live with us!’ Maggie laughed, giddy. ‘I know you’ll be happy. You’re young, and this should be the happiest time of your life.’
‘What about your husband? Would he be okay with it?’
‘Of course! No doubt! He’d love to have you at our house! He always wanted me to reconnect with you!’
‘Okay, great!’ Anna beamed, her blue eyes glistening. ‘Thank you so much!’
‘Are you kidding? Thank you so much!’ Maggie felt her own eyes brimming again. She was getting the second chance she’d hoped for, prayed for, dreamed of.
‘Could we leave tomorrow, if James and Ellen say it’s okay?’
‘You’re damn right we can!’ Maggie jumped up, joyful. She threw open her arms. ‘And now you’re getting a big Italian hug!’
Chapter Eleven
Noah, After
TRIAL, DAY 6
Noah hadn’t realized that there were times in a murder trial when nothing was happening, even though everyone remained in the courtroom in a state of suspended animation. Thomas and Linda were conferring with Judge Gardner, and Noah sat at counsel table, his thoughts cycling over the past. He was haunted by what-ifs, and the one that haunted him the most was the first. What if he’d told Maggie no, when she’d called that night from Congreve?
Noah, I just had dinner with Anna and it was wonderful! She’s adorable and great!
That’s great, babe! I knew it would go well. Noah had been in the car, heading home from the gym. He’d gotten their sitter to take Caleb to the speech pathologist and he’d be home in time to make dinner or, more likely, order pizza.
And Noah, guess what, I asked her to come live with us and she said yes!
Wow! Really? That’s amazing! Noah had braked, stuck at the traffic light on Lancaster Avenue behind a string of cars, a TGIF crowd if he ever saw one.
I know I’m springing this on you, but it got sprung on me.
No, it’s okay, it’s great!
She’s just really unhappy at Congreve and she’s been seeing a shrink, and she seems depressed to me. She’s grieving for her dad, who told her that I beat her and that’s why I lost custody!
What? That’s terrible! Noah had felt shocked. The light had turned green, and he’d hit the gas, snaking along.
I know! I need you to scan and email me my court papers, you know the ones? They’re in the file drawer.
Sure, I’ll be home in five minutes. Why do you want the court papers?
I have to prove that I didn’t abuse her, can you believe that? I’m going to meet with her therapist and her lawyer tonight. She’s inside the restaurant, contacting them. She gave me their email addresses, and I’ll email them the papers. If I can convince them I’m not an abuser, I can take her home tomorrow.
Tomorrow? Noah had asked, surprised.
Yes, and I know you think this is happening fast, but sometimes you have to move quickly.
I think it’s a great idea, babe. I’m psyched. Noah had read between the lines. Maggie always said he was too cerebral and deliberate, and he thought she was too emotional and impulsive. This time, he understood. She’d always wanted to get Anna back. It hung over her head.
This is going to be so great, honey! We’ll be a family. You’ll love her. Caleb will, too. She’s just the kind of girl he likes.
You mean pretty? Noah had laughed.
Exactly! Maggie had laughed, too. But I don’t know where to put her. We only have your office and the train room.
I’m on it, don’t worry. You sound so happy, honey. Bring her home. We’ll make it work.
I just know it will be great, honey!
We’re a family of four. Presto!
Okay, I gotta go. See you tomorrow!
Love you! Noah had said, but Maggie had already hung up.
Chapter Twelve
Maggie, Before
Night had fallen, and Maggie and Anna walked to Parker Hall on the elegant Congreve campus. Every building was of colonial vintage, perfectly restored, and Anna pointed out a dining hall that looked like Hogwarts and the First Meeting House, a white-clapboard chapel with a pristine spire. The trees and shrubs were perfectly maintained, and the footpaths were lit by authentic gas lights. Schoolgirls passed them in noisy groups, carrying totebags, covered coffee cups, and phones.
Anna waved to one group, and they waved back. A trio of long-haired girls in navy-blue blazers hurried past, flashing automatic smiles, but Anna didn’t wave to them, nor did they acknowledge her.
‘Who were they?’ Maggie said, when they’d passed.
‘Mean girls on parade.’
‘What’s with the blazer?’
‘The Senior Blazer. They never take it off. We get it, ladies.’
Maggie smiled, and they reached Parker Hall, an imposing colonial mansion with a brick fa?ade, tall white columns, and windows with bubbled-glass panes and thick muntins.
‘Home sweet home,’ Anna said, with a smile that Maggie could tell was forced. ‘I’d take you inside, but they don’t know you, okay?’
‘Absolutely, and I don’t want to keep Ellen waiting.’
‘Okay. Her office is in the Graham Center, at the end of the path. You’ll see the sign. Just go that way.’ Anna pointed down to the left, down a path through the campus.
‘I got it.’
‘Want me to walk you?’
‘No, I’m fine. You go inside and pack.’
‘The walkway ends in the Graham Center, which is the counseling services. Everybody calls it Graham Crackup.’
‘Not exactly enlightened. I always thought the crazy people were the ones who never went to therapy.’
‘Agree!’ Anna laughed. ‘Bye now.’