Maya’s shoulder.
“Those stains are in every shot.”
The room went still.
Maya’s smile disappeared.
Gwen continued.
“People will zoom in and ask what’s wrong with her.”
“Gwen.”
I said.
“If you know your skin looks like that, why wear something so
revealing?”
“Stop.”
I said.
“Now every family photo looks damaged.”
Liam’s fork struck his plate.
“Gwen!”
I shouted.
“Oh, stop babying her.”
My sister snapped.
“The world is cruel.
Better she hears it from family.”
Maya covered her mouth.
A sob escaped.
“No one wants to look at that on Instagram.”
That was when Liam stood.
He was small for ten.
But in that moment, he looked remarkably steady.
He placed his camera on the table.
He looked directly at Gwen.
Then he said:
“Then why did you pay that man to take pictures of Maya when she thought
nobody was watching?”
Gwen’s face changed.
Not confusion.
Fear.
