Chapter 18 - TERMS
Maya took the meeting.
Not because she planned to say yes.
Because Marcus had taught her something useful without intending to.
Never reject a contract you haven't read.
The producer's name was Simon Vail.
Forty-two.
Expensive glasses.
Soft voice.
He never used the word trauma.
He said journey.
Never violence.
He said turning point.
Never hospital photographs.
He said visual archive.
Maya listened.
Then asked:
“Who owns the footage?”
Simon smiled.
“We'd license it.”
“For how long?”
“Standard term.”
“Which is?”
“Seven years.”
Maya wrote it down.
“And my medical records?”
“Only what you're comfortable sharing.”
“Do I approve the final edit?”
Simon paused.
“We can't offer editorial control.”
“Then you can make me say anything.”
“No. We would never fabricate.”
“That wasn't my question.”
Silence.
Dana watched from beside Maya.
Simon shifted.
“We tell stories.”
Maya nodded.
“So did Keller.”
That ended the warmth.
Simon closed his notebook.
“I think we're talking past each other.”
“I think you're answering around me.”
After the meeting Dana drove Maya back to the gym.
“You enjoyed that.”
“A little.”
“You're turning into your father.”
Maya looked horrified.
“Take that back.”
Dana laughed.
At the gym, Marcus was waiting.
Not intentionally.
He had brought lunch.
Maya handed him the offer sheet.
He read it.
“Seven years.”
“Yep.”
“No editorial control.”
“Yep.”
“Medical archive access.”
“Yep.”
Marcus handed it back.
“What are you going to do?”
Maya smiled.
“Negotiate.”
He looked surprised.
“You don't want to walk?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because if they want my story, they can pay for my terms.”
Marcus nodded slowly.
“What terms?”
Maya counted on her fingers.
“One-year license.”
“Good.”
“No hospital photos.”
“Good.”
“No footage after I said stop.”
Marcus looked at her.
That one mattered.
“And?”
“If they talk about Cody, he gets asked for comment.”
Marcus frowned.
“Why?”
“Because I'm not letting them turn him into a monster just because it's easier television.”
Marcus studied his daughter.
“You don't forgive him.”
“No.”
“But you're protecting him?”
“No.”
Maya shook her head.
“I'm protecting the truth.”
Marcus smiled.
May you like
Very slightly.
That sounded familiar.
