YOU’RE NOT GOING TO CRY, ARE YOU?

“I…” I swallowed hard. “I have nothing to do with Fred.”

“I know, dear. And that’s exactly why I think you should stay away. He’s just toying with you.”

I stared at her, fighting to hold onto my dignity and not cry in front of her. I was tired of being humiliated.

“You’re not going to cry, are you?” She laughed scornfully. “You didn’t really think…” She laughed again, dripping with irony. “That Fred would have anything with ...