Chapter 36

Mrs. Webber was pacing while jabbering into her phone. Yeah. Her kitchen was large enough to pace in. She was talking about donating clothing. “I’m sure we have a ton of stuff someone less fortunate could use.” I could have sworn she’d looked at me when she’d said it. It was weird. Coach Keller and Mathias were quiet, still sitting at the island counter. It was as if they were afraid to be rude and interrupt the conversation she had started with someone else while talking to them. “No. She’s pregnant again,” I heard Mrs. Webber say. “Before even finishing high school.” There was a pause. “Well, that’s how those people are, I guess. I better go.”

“Those people.”Wow! I immediately felt my back go up in defense. I was those people, and I knew it. Even if she wasn’t talking about us—Beth, my family, and me—which she probably wasn’t, I took offense.