Chapter 3

In the hallway, my mom kept her head low, staring at her shoes. "Freda... did I embarrass you?"

I stopped, turning to wrap my arms tightly around her. She felt so thin, her shoulder blades sharp against my palms.

"Mom, no. Never. You didn't do anything wrong."

My dad stood in silence for a long moment before he spoke quietly. "Sweetheart... if you really love the boy... I can swallow my pride. I just... I don't want you going into a family where they make you feel small."