Chapter 27 - THE NEXT GENERATION
Maya was six when she gave her first speech at the foundation.
She stood on the small stage wearing a blue dress.
Claire watched from the front row.
Maya had been asked to speak about the children's center.
Instead, she talked about her mother.
“My mommy says a house can change.”
The audience smiled.
Maya continued.
“She says a house is not special because it is big.”
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
“It is special because people feel safe inside it.”
The room became completely silent.
Maya looked toward Claire.
“My mommy made this place safe.”
Claire covered her mouth.
She had spent years worrying that Maya would remember the ballroom.
Instead, her daughter remembered the garden.
The nursery.
The women.
The children.
The people who had rebuilt their lives.
After the speech, Maya ran into Claire's arms.
“Was I good?”
Claire hugged her tightly.
“You were perfect.”
Maya whispered:
“I want to help people too.”
Claire closed her eyes.
May you like
That was the only inheritance she had ever wanted to give her daughter.
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