That ends today.” I laid down the final document.

“Our attorney is filing a formal report with the district attorney’s office.” Her tears stopped instantly.

“You’re going to report your own mother?

Over money?” “No,” I said.

“Over five years of starving my child.” And for the first time in her life, she had no response at all.

Chapter 18 — What She Owned

We went upstairs to pack Maya’s belongings, and it took less than fifteen minutes, because there was almost nothing to pack.

Two pairs of school pants.