Barbara Scott felt defeated every time she looked at Hannah. She didn’t want to, but she did. For weeks she had inquired about getting the girl into a new school, but doors closed. Hannah had a reputation she couldn’t shake. Barbara inquired at private schools in the area, but when she heard the cost per semester, she politely thanked them and hung up the phone.

In late July, as the enrollment period was coming to an end, a woman named Shelly Hundley left a message. She said she was in the financial office of Brookshire Christian School and wanted to speak about Hannah. On her break at work, Barbara returned the call.

“Thank you for calling me back, Ms. Scott. I was told you were interested in Hannah attending here?” The woman spoke in crisp tones. She sounded like she had her life together. Not a care in the world.

“I did inquire there, but when I heard the cost, I knew I couldn’t make it work. But thank you for—”

“I understand, Ms. Scott. And you’re right—Brookshire isn’t cheap. But we think our school is worth the investment. There are some great people here who really care about our students.”

Barbara couldn’t believe the sales pitch. “I’m sure they do, ma’am. But I can’t afford it.”

“I understand. But there may still be a way,” Shelly said quickly, before Barbara could hang up.

“What way is that?”

“Why don’t you and Hannah come by the office tomorrow afternoon?”

Barbara wanted to say, What’s the point? Instead, she said, “I work until six.”

“How about in the morning, before you go to work?”

“I work two jobs to make ends meet. I start at five tomorrow morning and I’m not done until six in the evening.”

“I see,” Shelly said, pausing. “What if we met tomorrow night at seven thirty? That would give you time to get home, have dinner with your granddaughter, and then bring her here.”

Barbara shook her head. This woman wasn’t giving up. And how did she know Hannah was her granddaughter? All of that swirled in her brain until Barbara had enough. “Look, I appreciate you offering to stay late, but I don’t see a reason to trouble you. Even if you cut the rate in half, I can’t afford it.”

“Please. Just bring Hannah to the school tomorrow evening. I promise it will be worth the effort.”

Barbara reluctantly agreed, though she doubted the woman’s words. Everybody had an angle. Everybody was looking for something from somebody and if you trusted them, at best you’d get hurt and at worst you’d have your heart broken. Many times over, as Barbara had learned. What if she took Hannah there and she actually liked this school? Why get the child’s hopes up when there was no chance?