“Just like you,” Sky said.
They sat under it one last time.
“Remember the first time we sat here?” Sky asked.
“You told me everything would be okay,” Elo said.
“Was I right?” Sky asked.
“You were right,” Elo said.
When they left the estate that day, Elo didn’t look back.
A few weeks later, ten-year-old Maya came home from school with worry in her eyes.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Elo asked.
“A girl in my class said her dad yells at her all the time,” Maya said. “Makes her feel scared.”
“Did she tell a teacher?” Elo asked.
“She’s too scared,” Maya said. “I told her she should tell someone. Like you always say.”
Elo pulled her into a hug.
“That’s exactly right,” she said. “You did good.”
The next day, Elo called the school.
“A student in my daughter’s class might need help,” she said. “Can you check on her?”
The counselor promised to follow up. Two days later, the counselor called back.
“We spoke with the girl,” the counselor said. “She opened up. We’re getting her family support.”
Elo felt relief wash through her.
Even retired from the spotlight, she couldn’t stop helping.
That year, Maya noticed the faint scars on her mother’s scalp for the first time.