Chapter 19 - Maribel and Presley meet
Four months after the birthday, Maribel asked to see Presley.
Not at Ashford House.
A therapist’s office with Camille nearby.
Presley looked smaller without the white party dress and adults orbiting around her.
She said:
“I’m sorry.”
Maribel:
“You already wrote that.”
“I know.”
Silence.
Then Presley:
“I was jealous.”
“Why?”
Presley looked embarrassed.
“You get everything.”
Maribel frowned.
“You have more shoes than me.”
Presley almost laughed.
Then:
“Aunt Delphine said you always win.”
“Win what?”
“I don’t know.”
There.
The entire philosophy collapsed under one child’s question.
Maribel said:
“I didn’t want you to lose.”
Presley looked down.
“I wanted you to.”
Honest.
Then:
“I don’t now.”
No hug.
No instant best friendship.
They played cards for fifteen minutes.
May you like
Then Maribel wanted to leave.
Good enough.
