Six months after discovering the essay, Maya requested to speak at her school's annual assembly about courage. The theme was "Heroes in Our Lives," and students were invited to share stories about people who had demonstrated bravery. Louis and Ral received email from Maya's teacher requesting permission for their daughter to present, with warning that Maya planned to discuss their family's experience with the oligarch conspiracy.
"Absolutely not," was Louis's immediate reaction. "She is seven years old. She should not be publicly discussing k********g and assassination attempts to classmates who still believe in tooth fairy."
"She deserves agency over her own story," Ral countered with analyst's recognition that control was illusion. "We cannot protect her by silencing her. That just tea
