"Because that's what it takes sometimes. You push, too."
"Not about things like this. Does it really matter how Grandma died? It's been a long time since it happened, and Grandpa is losing his memories every day."
"It still matters. She was our blood. We wouldn't be here if she hadn't lived. Doesn't her death deserve justice?"
"Not if it was suicide."
"You just told me that Dad said he made a terrible mistake. I think he was in the car and he left, for whatever reason. I don't think he killed his mother. But I do believe he lied about where he was that night, and I don't understand why. I can't let it go until he tells me."
"He'll never tell you, Maya. Hasn't he made that clear?"
"Then I'll figure it out without him."
"How can you do that?"
"By talking to everyone who Natasha knew. It might take me a while, but I'll do it. Someone knows something. At some point, there will be a slip, a crack wide enough for me to pry open."
There was an odd gleam of respect in her sister's eyes.
"Why this?" Darcy asked. "You've quit college, jobs, relationships—why is this the one goal you're determined to achieve?"
"Because this one is important. And I didn't quit any of those things just to quit. I made decisions that were good for me. I'm not like you. I didn't have my plan worked out by the time I was ten. You and James are different. You're like Mom and Dad. I'm not. I think I'm probably more like Natasha."
"So that's the real reason? You've found a kindred spirit?"
"Maybe I have. I also think that the truth may set Dad free."
"How so?"
"From what you just said, he feels guilt about that night. He probably wonders if she'd still be alive if he hadn't left. If I can find out what really happened, maybe that will take away some of his guilt."
"Or make it worse. If she was killed, he'll have a difficult time not blaming himself. An overdose is bad enough. He could have thought that maybe if he'd stuck around, she wouldn't have done it, but if someone killed her…I don't see how he gets a reprieve from guilt. I don't see a happy ending for any of us, Maya."
Her sister had a point. "Well, maybe I'll just find out the truth and keep it to myself."
"You would not make the movie?"
"It depends on what I learn. I'm sorry. That's all I can give you. Now, are we done? Because it's a long drive back."
"Why don't you stay here? You can use the guest room."
"I'll just go home."
"No. I won't sleep at all worrying about if you made it back safely or not."
"You surely don't lose sleep worrying about me."
"I actually do, more than you would probably believe," Darcy told her. "You are my little sister, and maybe we're different people, but we are blood."
"I guess I could stay," she said, mostly because she was too exhausted to think of driving home and going back to her empty house after what had happened the night before.
"Good. So, is there anything else going on in your life? Are you dating? Is there a man?"
She hesitated as Jax's image flashed through her head.
"There is someone," Darcy said, a gleam in her eyes. "Who is he?"
"He's not…I don't know. We just met. It might not be anything."
"What does he do?"
"He's an actor and a bartender."
"Oh, well, that sounds about right. Have you ever thought of dating someone with a real job?"
"Those are real jobs. Besides, he's incredibly good-looking—tan, with blonde hair, blue eyes."
"He probably surfs, too, right?" Darcy said with a roll of her eyes. "Sounds like a Southern California guy."
"I'm not sure if he surfs—maybe. I don't know that much about him, but I like what I know."
"I hope he's not trying to use your connections to get ahead."
"He's not. He's not even sure he wants to act anymore. And he's never asked me about whether I have anything to do with casting." As she thought about it, it did seem a bit strange that they hadn't talked about the world they had in common. Then again, they'd spent most of their time discussing her grandmother.
"Well, I hope you can trust him," Darcy said, getting to her feet. "You haven't always made the best decisions when it comes to men."
"It was one bad decision," she reminded her sister. "And I can trust Jax." As she followed her