Her movements were gentle, careful, as she dabbed the oil onto my burns.
My eyes swept the room. The elder Pruitts sat there wearing hollow smiles.
But unlike before, there was something else behind those smiles now. A flicker of guilt.
The admission letter was gone from the table. They must have hidden it. Still, I couldn't resist testing Norma.
"Honey, I heard everyone's admission letters have been arriving. Have you seen if mine—"
"I already checked. There's nothing for you."
"Duane, don't be too upset. Worst case, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life."
She lied without a single crack in her composure. And then she comforted me.
My heart had already sunk to rock bottom, yet I still clung to our three years of marriage, wanting to give Norma one last chance.
"But I heard my name was clearly on the admission list..."
"You heard wrong." Norma cut me off without hesitation, her brows knitting together as she spoke.
"Duane, I know you can't accept it, but this is just fate."
"You're not meant for college. Don't bother applying again..."
Fate?
But Norma knew better than anyone that my grades were good enough for university!
She was the one who'd torn up every single acceptance letter—torn away the wings that could have carried me toward my dreams.
Bitterness flooded my chest. I turned my head away, barely managing to hold back tears of disappointment. The Pruitts noticed something was off and shot Norma a look before stepping in to smooth things over.
"Norma! Is that any way to talk to your husband?"
"Duane, don't take her words too seriously. What she means is that even without college, with her by your side, you'll be just fine."
They gave Norma a pointed look.
Only then did she put on a show, leaning into my arms.
"Mom and Dad are right. I'm the principal—more than capable of providing for you..."
"Principal Pruitt! Mr. Percival Fox is on the phone! He says he's already on the train and wants you to pick him up!"
Before Norma could finish, someone outside interrupted.
"Really? Why am I only hearing about this now?"
"I need to go right away. It's so hot out—if Percival gets heatstroke, that would be terrible."
Her eyes lit up instantly. Without another word, she abandoned me and rushed out the door.
The Pruitts looked embarrassed, but they didn't forget to make excuses for their daughter.
"Louise called and asked Norma to look after Percival."