Ms. Wood got more and more worked up as she talked. If Fernando had been standing in front of her, she would’ve already slapped him hard across the mouth.

“Ms. Wood is always like this—always protecting me, never letting me suffer even the tiniest injustice.”

Her bright, crisp voice was the best music in the world. Warmth spread through my chest, and my eyes started to sting.

“Because you’re my baby!” Ms. Wood’s emotions slowly settled. ...