“Zuri needs support too. We'll involve the appropriate people, including her other parent.”
Her expression hardened.
“You don't have the right to decide that.”
He nodded.
“Then we'll follow the proper process.”
For a moment, she seemed unable to answer.
Adrian continued.
“I'm not interested in winning an argument with you tonight.”
He looked toward the dining room.
“I'm interested in making sure those children are safe.”
Vanessa's face became pale.
Then she asked the question that would return to Adrian's mind many times afterward.
“Are you really going to destroy our marriage over one dinner?”
He stared at her.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he answered.
“Vanessa, you're still calling this one dinner.”
She looked away.
And Adrian understood that the conversation wasn't going to produce the accountability he needed.
Not then.
Possibly not ever.
He returned to the dining room.
Malik was holding a glass of water.
Evelyn sat beside him.
Zuri had moved closer to Camille.
Adrian looked toward his son.
Then slowly sat across from him.
“Malik.”
The boy raised his head.
For a moment, Adrian's voice failed.
Then he said.
“I'm sorry I didn't see what was happening.”
Malik stared.
His eyes filled.
For several seconds, he didn't answer.
Then he whispered something Adrian would remember for the rest of his life.
“I thought you knew.”
Adrian went completely still.
The words seemed to take the air out of the room.
Malik looked down.
“She said you agreed.”
For a moment, Adrian couldn't breathe.
His son continued.
“She said you wanted me to learn respect.”
Tears ran down his cheeks.
“And when I asked to call you, she told me not to bother you at work.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
He remembered signing household agreements without reading every line.
Accepting Vanessa's descriptions of Malik's behavior.
And telling his son that they all needed to respect one another.
He'd thought he was supporting his wife.
Malik had heard something else.
That his father was aware of what happened.
That he approved.
And that asking for help would only prove he was difficult.
Adrian opened his eyes.
He looked directly at his son.
“No.”
His voice broke.
“Malik, I didn't agree to this.”
The boy stared.
Adrian continued.
“But I should have paid attention when you tried to tell me you were unhappy.”
His eyes filled.
“I should have asked what was happening when I wasn't here.”
Malik lowered his head.
For a moment, he seemed unable to speak.
Then he whispered.