Chapter 47
Kirsten
@JoelMTBchamp, TikTok
You know, my question is, if Selena Hart is capable of killing her own child, what is she going to do to the two kids who exposed her? #findElla
Almost everyone you meet in Provo is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon if you don’t want to get out of breath saying it, and there are dozens of churches, stakes and wards in the city.
Our ward meets at a modern church by Rock Canyon Park.
There’s an hour of chapel, then the kids disappear off to children’s classes, and every second Sunday, Garrett and I go to Bible study.
Church usually falls somewhere between soothing and dull for me, but today I’m mainly agitated, Selena Hart’s words on repeat in my head.
I know exactly what a woman like her is capable of – it takes one to know one, I suppose – but how do I make Maple understand the dangers?
She’s being so rebellious right now, I can’t get through to her.
‘Hey, Kirsten,’ Belinda sings over my shoulder as Garrett and I walk from the chapel to the classroom.
Belinda is our old neighbor, and still salty about us moving to a house three times the size of hers.
‘What’s with Maple’s new YouTube channel?
’ Her eyes are wide, like she’s horrified for me. ‘It seems so out of character?’
Luckily, we reach the classroom door before I have chance to respond. As I’m ushered inside by one of the men in suits, I give Belinda an apologetic look, a silent I’d love to give you the full scoop, but rules are rules.
‘What did she want?’ Garrett whispers as I sit down next to him.
‘What do you think?’ I whisper back. ‘Maple and Dylan’s YouTube video has gone viral, and now half of TikTok seems to think that Ella Hart is dead, either directly or indirectly by Selena Hart’s hand. Of course everyone’s got the popcorn out.’
‘Shit.’
‘And it gets worse. Selena Hart called me this morning and practically threatened to ruin Maple if she doesn’t take the video down.’
‘What?’ Garrett twists in his seat.
‘Right, everyone,’ a voice rasps from the front of the classroom. It’s Tom Dixon, a counselor in our ward who can recite whole chapters of the Book of Mormon by heart. ‘This week we’re going to take another look at the Book of Ether, so settle down.’
Garrett turns to face Tom, like the good Mormon he is, while I stare at the milk stain on Tom’s lapel and daydream about smashing every one of Maple’s devices with my bare fists.
An hour later, Tom dismisses us and we all file back into the hallway.
‘Selena Hart must be some kind of monster if she can threaten a child,’ Garrett says as soon as there’s a hum of conversation to hide behind, making me wonder whether he was concentrating on Tom’s monologue after all.
‘I might not be a fan of social media,’ he continues, as though I need reminding, ‘but seeing Maple do that video with Dylan, I was actually proud of her. Forget about the crazies on TikTok, but it is weird that Ella Hart has dropped off the planet. And if Selena really did make up that story about her going to London, she deserves to be exposed as a liar. I think we should support Maple in this.’
‘But Ella might not want to be found,’ I point out. ‘And Selena might be protecting her daughter. I mean, think about it. You want to take the twins off social media; how would you feel if everyone started accusing you of killing them when they go offline?’
‘They wouldn’t. The twins are eight, not eighteen; everyone will assume – correctly – that they’re having some time out. Five years’ worth.’
I shake my head. ‘Social media doesn’t work that way, Garrett. Logic and sense don’t get clicks. It’s the extreme, the just about possible, and the outright lunacy that goes viral.’
He scoffs. ‘And you wonder why I don’t want the twins to have any part of it?’
‘Well, they’re not going to have much choice now.’
His eyes narrow. ‘What does that mean?’
‘Do you really think Maple’s going to get brand work after practically accusing one of America’s favorite moms of abusing her child, then igniting some conspiracy theory about her being a murderer?
I’m surprised Maddie hasn’t called me yet – maybe she’s still in shock – but I am fully expecting a call from her tomorrow morning.
And if Maple stops bringing money in, then we’ll have to double our efforts with the twins. ’
‘No,’ Garrett says, shaking his head. ‘I’m not changing my mind on this.’
‘God, why are you being so stubborn?!’ A dozen eyes turn to look at me. I smile brightly, then lower my voice to a murmur. ‘This is about survival right now, Garrett. Save the parenting awards for another day.’
‘Look, I’ll talk to her.’
‘Who?’
‘Maple. I’ll ask her to take the video down and explain why. Nice and calm.’
‘But I thought you were a big fan of her new venture?’
He twitches slightly, like I’ve made a direct strike with a pea shooter, then straightens his face. ‘I didn’t have all the facts then.’
I follow Garrett out of the church and let the warm breeze float over my cheeks.
He’s never been as close to Maple as I am, which may be my fault; she was such a gorgeous baby, I did pretty much claim exclusive rights to her as soon as she was born.
But maybe a little distance is exactly what this problem needs.