And then he told me everything.
“I met him, I think. I went to her house to ask if she knew what had happened to you, and a man answered the door. He told me Maya was staying with her grandparents.”
Daniel shook his head. “He lied.”
I slumped back in my chair. “All this time… but why didn’t she tell a teacher? And what’s this got to do with you running away?”
“He lied.”
“She didn’t think anyone would believe her, and I… I didn’t know what else to do.” Daniel’s face crumpled. “She came to school that day with a bag already packed. She told me she was going that afternoon. I tried talking her out of it, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“So you went with her.”
“I couldn’t let her go alone, Mom. I wanted to call you so many times.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Because I promised Maya I wouldn’t tell anyone where we were.” He swallowed. “She thought if anyone found us, they’d send her back.”
“And today, when you saw me?”
“I was scared the police would find her.”
I ran my hands over my hair. “Okay… okay. But what about that old man? He said you told him to tell you if anyone asked about the jacket.”
“I promised Maya I wouldn’t tell anyone where we were.”
He looked down. “I thought… if someone ever recognized it… maybe they’d know I was alive.”
I stared at him. “You wanted me to find you?”
