Two women were almost always following her around, laughing whenever she laughed and agreeing with whatever she said.
During Maya’s first week, Tasha began testing her.
In the corridor, she deliberately stepped into Maya’s path and forced her to squeeze around her. Another day, she took the place where Maya had been sitting and simply stared at her until Maya walked away.
Maya never reacted.
That was exactly what Tasha wanted to see.
“She’s scared,” she told her friends one afternoon. “Look at her. She wouldn’t even know what to do if somebody actually challenged her.”
A few days later, the inmates were outside during yard time.
Maya was sitting with her back against a concrete wall, away from the main group. She had been given a small bottle of water and a fresh glazed donut, and for once she seemed completely absorbed in something as simple as eating.
Then she heard laughter coming closer.
Tasha was walking toward her with her two friends.
Maya glanced up but continued eating.
Tasha stopped several feet away and looked down at her.
“That looks good.”
Maya didn’t answer.
Tasha moved closer.
“I said that looks good.”
Maya finally looked at her.
“It is.”
One of Tasha’s friends laughed.
Tasha’s mouth slowly twisted into a smirk.
“Give it to me.”
Maya lowered the donut slightly.
“No.”
The women around them immediately became quieter.
Nobody usually told Tasha no.
For a moment, even she looked surprised.
Then she laughed.
“You serious?”
“I’m eating it.”
Tasha stepped forward and snatched the donut directly out of Maya’s hand.
“There. Problem solved.”
Her friends burst out laughing.
Maya slowly got to her feet.
Despite how thin she was, she didn’t step away this time.
“Give it back.”
Tasha looked at the donut, then at Maya.
