Summary

In Maia, deep down inside, Maia is empty because her mother is gone. She sometimes tries to pretend that Rosie is just gone on a trip. She worries that her mother did not know how much she really loved her. Maia admits to herself that she has mixed feelings about Russ. She came to learn that whenever Russ was in town, her mother would be ecstatic. When he left again, she would be devastated. Maia had always thought Russ was strange because he came and went so often. She was also not allowed to talk about him to anyone. When Huck told Maia that Russ had another home and another family, she was not really that surprised.

Maia agreed to meet Russ’ family only if Ayers was there as well. Maia realized she was afraid that Irene and her family would say mean...