Cady halted, her hand still on the doorknob. She did not look back.
“Cady, do you know how to read?”
The tears finally came. “Of course I know how to read, you stupid oldbitch!”
She slammed the door behind her and ran.
• • •
Cady didn’t return to Maxine’s Treasures the next day, or the day after that.
Three days later, she was called into the office of the group home. Maxine was sitting with the director of the home, Ms. Lee.
“You made a commitment to Ms. Clark,” Ms. Lee said to Cady. “She expects you to work at her store tomorrow after school.”
“I’m not gonna apologize,” Cady insisted.
“Cady—,” Ms. Lee began.
But Maxine cut her off. “I won’t ask you to apologize, Cady. But you do need to clean up the mess you made, as best you can. First, though, we have an appointment at the library.”
“What kind of appointment?” Cady loved the library—the hushed tones, the way she could sit for hours with nobody bothering her. Some of the librarians were intimidating, but others were kind and helped her look things up, or suggested books for her to read. She loved to sit and flip through the pages, looking for pictures.
Neither woman answered her question, but Ms. Lee turned to Cady and, using her I’m-not-fooling-around voice, said: “Go with Ms. Clark, Cady. Understood?”
Cady followed Maxine out to her car.
“Whatkindof appointment?” she repeated.
“We’re going to see a literacy tutor.”
“Awhat?”
“Is there something wrong with your hearing, too?”
“No.”
“Nobody’s good at everything, Cady. The only shame is in not asking for help when you need it.”
“I don’t need any stupid tutor.” Cady’s words came out as a sullen mumble.
“Well,Ido,” said Maxine.
“No, you don’t. You know how to read.”
“True, but knowing how to read doesn’t qualify me to teach you. So we’re going to meet with the tutor, and she’s going to teach me to teach you.”
Cady stared at her in disbelief. Anger surged, tears threatened, and she felt like throwing up. What was the old ladytalkingabout?
Peering over the top of the car, Maxine fixed Cady with a look.“Here’s the deal, Cady. I’m every bit as stubborn as you are, and because I’m a lot older I’m a lot more experienced at it. So don’t eventryto out-obstinate me.”
Cady gaped at her. No one had ever spoken to her like this.
“We’ve known each other a couple of months now,” Maxine continued, noting Cady’s reaction. “Answer one question, and take your time to think about it before you answer. Will you do that for me?”
Cady shrugged.
“Here it is: Do you think I would take the time and energy to try to do you harm?”
