“And no motivational posts.”
Lena laughed.
“I hadn’t suggested.”
“You were thinking.”
“I absolutely was not.”
“Liar.”
“Fine.”
They hung up.
Avery looked at the security camera overhead.
A small black dome.
Nothing heroic.
It had simply been on.
The footage would change everything.
Not because cameras were morally superior.
Because memory had been contested.
The camera preserved a version that had no incentive to flatter either woman.
That night, Avery drove to her parents’ house.
Not her condo.
Not the office.
Home.
Her mother, Rochelle, opened the door before Avery knocked.
“How bad?”
Avery stared.
“How do you know?”
Rochelle held up phone.
Of course.
Curtis appeared behind her.
“Where’s the car?”
“Repair shop tomorrow.”
“Did she crack carbon?”
“Dad.”
“I’m asking.”
“Can I enter house first?”
He moved.
Avery stepped inside.
Rochelle hugged her.
Avery resisted for half a second.
Then let herself.
That surprised her.
She had been calm all afternoon.
Efficient.
Controlled.
Now, in her mother’s arms, she felt the delayed tremor.
Rochelle felt too.
“You were scared.”
Avery pulled back.
“No.”
Her mother stared.
Avery looked away.
“Maybe after the shove.”
Rochelle nodded.
“Sit.”
Curtis said:
“I want to see damage.”
Rochelle turned.
“Curtis.”
“What?”
“Your daughter was attacked.”
“She was shoved.”
“That is attacked.”
“I know.”
“Then stop asking about carbon.”
Curtis looked at Avery.
She smiled faintly.
“I’m fine.”
He exhaled.
Then hugged her too.
More awkward.
Shorter.
Still.
They sat at the kitchen table.
Rochelle heated gumbo.
Curtis watched the video three times.
Avery hated that.
“Stop replaying.”
“I’m looking at timing.”
“You are not detective.”
“I rebuilt three transmissions before you were born.”
“That is unrelated.”
“Machines reveal people.”
Rochelle stared.
“What does that mean?”
Curtis paused.
“I don’t know.”
Avery laughed.
First real laugh since gas station.
Then Rochelle watched the video.
She saw Vanessa look Avery over.
Point at car.
Shove.
Kick tire.
Then Noah with tablet.
Rochelle set phone down.
“What do headlines say?”
Avery pulled up.
WOMAN TRIES TO SCAM BLACK CEO AT GAS STATION.
ENTITLED DRIVER PICKS WRONG WOMAN.
SHE MOCKED HER FOR DRIVING A SUPERCAR—CCTV EXPOSED EVERYTHING.
Rochelle’s face tightened.