She looked back to see Dave standing up, leaving Sarah wrapped in blankets with others caring for her. “You,” he said, pointing a thick finger at Maya. “You saved my wife.” Everyone turned to look at her again. Maya wished the ground would open up and swallow her. She wasn’t used to so many eyes on her.
“What’s your name, kid?” Dave asked, walking closer. Maya,” she said so quietly he had to lean down to hear her. “Maya,” he repeated. “Sarah was under for 9 minutes. The doctors always told us brain damage starts after 4 to 5 minutes without oxygen. But you got her out and she’s awake and talking. You’re a hero.” Maya shook her head.
I just saw her stuck down there. Anyone would have helped. A man with a patch on his vest that said treasurer stepped forward, but no one else did help. We all missed it. You’re the only one who saw and did something. Dave nodded. Where are your parents, Maya? They should know what you did today. Maya looked at her feet.
Her toes were muddy from the lake bottom. Don’t have any, she said. I mean, I’m on my own. Dave and the others exchanged looks. The red-haired woman from before stepped closer. “How old are you?” she asked. “11 17?” Maya answered. “Jesus,” someone muttered. “She’s just a kid.” Dave looked at Maya more carefully now. He took in her thin arms, her old clothes, the dark circles under her eyes.
“When’s the last time you ate, Mia?” he asked. Maya shrugged. “Yesterday morning, found half a sandwich.” The words hung in the air. Maya wished she hadn’t said it. Now they’d call social services. She’d be put back in foster care, maybe even sent back to the grants. She took another step back. “I should go,” she said.
“I need to get my backpack.” “You’re not going anywhere except to a hospital with Sarah,” Dave said firmly. Then you’re coming home with us for a hot meal and dry clothes. Maya’s eyes widened. I can’t. I don’t. Not taking no for an answer, kid. Dave cut her off. You saved my old lady’s life. That makes you family.
An ambulance siren wailed in the distance, getting closer. Family? Maya repeated, not understanding. The red-haired woman smiled for the first time. The angels take care of their own, honey. And anyone who saves one of us becomes one of us. But I’m nobody, Maya said. Just a runaway. Dave put a heavy but gentle hand on her shoulder.
Not anymore. You’re not. 9 minutes underwater. It’s a miracle Sarah’s alive, and you’re the one who made that miracle happen. The ambulance pulled up to the lake’s edge. EMTs jumped out with their bags and equipment. They rushed over to Sarah, who was sitting up now, still coughing sometimes, but looking more alive by the minute.
“Dave,” she called weakly. “Who pulled me out?” Dave turned to Maya. “Come meet my wife,” he said. Maya walked with him, her legs still shaky. When they reached Sarah, the woman looked up with grateful eyes. “This is Maya,” Dave said. She’s the one who saved you. Sarah reached out a pale hand and took Maya’s.
Her fingers were cold, but her grip was strong. “Thank you,” Sarah said simply. Tears filled her eyes. “You gave me back my life.” As the EMTs checked Sarah’s vital signs and prepared to take her to the hospital, one of them looked at Maya. “You should come, too,” he said. Anyone who was diving that deep needs to be checked for problems.
She’s coming, Dave confirmed. She’s with us. Maya felt strange and lightaded. Maybe it was from diving so deep or from not eating or from all these scaryl lookinging people suddenly being so kind to her. Whatever it was, the world seemed to tilt sideways. I don’t feel so good,” she mumbled. Then the ground rushed up to meet her and everything went black.
Maya opened her eyes to bright lights and white walls. A hospital. She was in a bed with rails on the sides. Her clothes were gone, replaced by a paperthin gown. [clears throat and snorts] An IV tube ran into her arm, taped in place. “There she is,” said a voice. Maya turned her head.
The red-haired woman from the lake sat in a chair next to the bed. She smiled at Maya. “Welcome back, sleeping beauty. I’m Trish.” Maya tried to sit up but felt too weak. “How long was I out?” she asked, her throat dry and scratchy. “About 4 hours,” Trish said. “Doctor says you were very tired and hungry. They’re giving you fluids and sugar through that tube.
” memory came flooding back. The lake Sarah drowning the rescue. “Is Sarah okay?” Maya asked. “She’s down the hall,” Trish said. “They’re keeping her overnight to watch her, but she’s doing great. The doctor said it’s a miracle. No brain damage at all after 9 minutes underwater.” Maya relaxed a little. Then she remembered something else.
“My backpack, it’s still under the pier. All my stuff is in it. Don’t worry about that, Trish said. Dave sent some of the boys to look for it. They found it right where you said. A nurse came in then to check on Maya. She took Maya’s temperature and blood pressure. Looking much better, she said.
You were dehydrated and your blood sugar was very low. When was the last time you had a real meal? Maya shrugged. I don’t remember. maybe 3 days ago. The nurse shook her head. Well, you can eat now. I’ll bring you something. She left the room. Trish leaned forward in her chair. Dave and I talked while you were sleeping.
We know you’re a runaway. We should call social services. Maya’s heart sank. Please don’t, she begged. I can’t go back. You don’t understand. Actually, I think I do, Trish said. I ran away when I was 16. My stepdad had wandering hands, if you know what I mean. Maya stared at her, surprised that this tough woman understood so well.
“That’s why we’re not calling anyone,” Trish continued. “Dave and Sarah want you to stay with them for a while, at least until you get your feet under you.” Maya couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “But you don’t even know me. Why would they want to help me?” “Like Dave said, you saved Sarah. In our world, that makes you family,” Trish explained. “And we take care of family.
” 3 months later, Maya stood in front of the bathroom mirror in the guest room of Dave and Sarah’s Lakeside House. The room wasn’t the guest room anymore. It was Maya’s room. Her clothes hung in the closet. Her few books sat on a shelf. Pictures she had taken with her new phone were stuck to the mirror’s frame.
Maya looked at herself. Her face had filled out from regular meals. Her hair was clean and shiny. And over her t-shirt, she wore a leather vest with patches. One patch said, “Apha, angels forever. Forever angels. She was an honorary member now. The club had voted on it last night. Sarah knocked on the open door.
You about ready? Everyone’s here for the party. Today marked 3 months since the lake incident. Sarah was fully recovered and the club was throwing a party to celebrate. It was also Maya’s official welcome party. I’m ready, Maya said, turning from the mirror. Just feels weird, you know, the vest and all.
Sarah came in and straightened Maya’s collar. You earned it. Not many people get to be Angel’s family without being born into it or married into it. I keep thinking I’ll wake up and be back under that pier,” Maya admitted. Sarah hugged her tight. “This is real, honey. You’re stuck with us now. They walked downstairs together.
Through the windows, Maya could see motorcycles lined up in the driveway. The house smelled like barbecue and beer. People in leather vests filled the living room and spilled out onto the porch. When Mia entered the room, they all cheered. Dave came forward with Mia’s backpack, the same one from under the pier.
It had been cleaned up and new patches were sewn onto it. He handed it to her with ceremony. “Your old life and your new life together in one place,” he said. Maya opened the backpack. Inside were her few old possessions, the paperback book now with a broken spine from reading so many times, and her mother’s silver locket. But there was something new, too. an envelope.
“What’s this?” she asked. “Open it,” Dave said, his arm around Sarah’s shoulders. Inside the envelope was a piece of paper. Maya read it slowly. It was from a lawyer. It said that Dave and Sarah Miller were applying to be her legal guardians until she turned 18. “If you want,” Sarah said quickly.
“Only if you want.” Tears filled Maya’s eyes. She hadn’t cried in years, not even when the grants hurt her. But now the tears came and wouldn’t stop. “I want,” she whispered. “I really want.” Later, as the party moved outside to the lake shore, Maya walked down to the pier, the same pier she had hidden under 3 months ago, hungry and alone.
The water was calm today, reflecting the late afternoon sun. From here she could see the spot where Sarah had nearly drowned. “Water can save you or kill you,” her mother had said. “For Sarah it had nearly killed her. But for Maya, somehow it had saved her.” Dave called from the shore, waving her over. “Come on, kid.
We’re taking a family picture.” Maya turned from the pier and walked toward the group of leatherclad bikers who were now against all odds her family. The smell of grilling meat filled the air just like that day 3 months ago. But this time she wasn’t watching from the outside. This time there was a place for her.
As she joined the group, Sarah put an arm around her shoulders and Dave stood tall behind them both. The club photographer counted down. 3 2 1. Maya smiled for the camera, her hand touching the two pendants that now hung around her neck, her mother’s silver locket, and right beside it, her new AFA charm. Both were part of who she was.
