Chapter 104

• “Callie's former art teacher, Paislee, kindly suggested it. However I was the one who thought about it and made the decision to withdraw her.”
• I know what my mother is trying to do, but I won't give her the chance to humiliate Paislee.
• Paislee steals a glance at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. Mother doesn't look away from Paislee but continues to study her. When I can't take the tense silence any longer, I softly clear my throat and say, “I have a new project that is well underway.”