“He was the best student in his old class,” Sherry whispered in her ear, causing a pleasant tingle. “He got beaten up for that more than once.”

The tingling became a burning when anger surged through her. She gripped the wheel tighter.

“I think I did okay,” Jake said as if afraid to admit he had done great. After a short hesitation, he added quietly, “Tony and Sally tried to copy from me and I let them, but then Ms. Hunter saw it and was angry with them.” He smiled. “But she wasn’t angry with me. She praised me for not having made any mistakes.”

“That’s wonderful, baby.”

“And what did your other classmates think of you being so good?” Madison asked.

“Tony and some of the others said I was cool. But Sally said I was cheating.” He grinned. “But Ms. Hunter didn’t believe her.”

Madison’s grip on the wheel loosened while she drove into the underground garage.

“But don’t think that you have to learn less because you’re doing so well.”

“No, Mom.”

“Don’t be so hard on him.” Madison turned into her parking spot and shut off the engine. “He’s just six and—”

“Jake, would you please go ahead?” Sherry interrupted her in a strange tone. “I have to talk with Madison about something. Rita Mae is probably waiting for you already.”

Jake looked back and forth between them and nodded. “Okay.”

With jerky movements, she undid her seat belt, got out, and tilted her seat forward so that Jake could leave the car. When Jake attempted to take his bag, she said, “I’ll take that. Go ahead.”

As soon as Jake had disappeared into the elevator, Sherry tilted the seat back and sat back down. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your opinion about Jake’s upbringing to yourself.”

“What the hell is your problem? All I said was—”

“You criticized me in front of him.”

“I did not.”

“You did. You said I shouldn’t be so hard on him and—”

“I know what I said!” Maybe she was getting a little bit loud, but it wasn’t up to Sherry to tell her what to say and what not to.

“I’m his mother. Not you. Rita Mae helps him every day to study so that he can be whatever he wants to be one day. I won’t allow you to get involved in this!” This time, Sherry was the one getting loud. She got out of the car, tilted her seat again, and snatched up Jake’s schoolbag. Then she slammed the door forcefully and stomped toward the elevator.

Madison ran after her. “Jake has only started school, for God’s sake. Besides, you don’t have to jump into my face just because I say what’s on my mind.”

Ignoring her, Sherry kept marching to the elevator.