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I remember Ralph’s comments about starting a new dynasty, and now I’m sure I know who gave him that idea. I make a point of turning to Gray again and speaking clearly.

“I’ll see you Wednesday, then. You can drive the Jag.”

He shakes his head, warmth in his eyes, before turning to Mrs. Stern. “You can just drive right in that first bay.”

Wednesday feels like it will never arrive. I manage to get Dad to take the pills, and I do my best to keep from dancing a jig in the kitchen as he reads the instructions, the side effects, then nods and puts one of the white capsules on his tongue.

The next day, Darlene makes progress. “My mom asked why I haven’t worn skirts in so long.” She looks at her black fingernails then glances up at me. “I told her because the last time I wore a skirt, Mr. Johnson reached under it and touched me.”

Holding my expression neutral, I nod slowly. “How did telling her make you feel?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. Like I’d gotten something off my chest finally.”

“That’s really good.” I smile warmly. “What did your mother say?”

Her brow furrows. “She said she didn’t like my outfit.”

Anger tightens my stomach. I glance at the black skirt she’s paired with knee-high pantyhose, but I don’t make a judgment. “She didn’t acknowledge what you said about the neighbor?”

“No. She made me feel like a loser.” Her finger is in her mouth, and she chews on the cuticle a minute. “I told her I was experimenting with new trends.”

“I like how you stood up for yourself.” I can’t fake a smile now, though. “Why do you think your mother would ignore what you said?”

She shrugs again, looking out the window. “She doesn’t want to think about it? She feels guilty? She doesn’t care.”

Darlene speaks the words so fast, it’s like she’s solving a math problem. “Sometimes people pretend not to care to hide their fear. Or how much they’re hurting.”

She doesn’t respond to this. I glance at the clock. “I have one more assignment. I’d like you to try and say one empowering thing to your mother every day this week. Do you think you can do that?”

Her nose wrinkles, and she stands. “Why?”

“I think it would benefit both of you. Make you feel stronger and make her feel stronger as well. Can you do that?”

“What if I don’t know anything empowering to say?”

It’s a legit question. “Visit this website.” I hand her a card.

She takes it, blinking a few times while reading. Then she smiles. “Okay.”

“Okay.” My chest is so full. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen her smile.

After entering my notes, I hop up and rush out of my office. Dotty is behind the desk drinking a coffee and eating a muffin. It gives me an idea.

I give her a wave. “I just have to run out for ten minutes. I’ve got my cell.”

She gives me a confused nod, but I don’t wa

it around to explain. I know exactly what’s happening right now. Billy’s words are burning in my ears, and I have a plan. I trot down to the corner bakery and snag a box of muffins before heading to the garage.

Sure enough, when I get there, Leslie is sitting in a chair by the back wall. She’s wearing black pants and a red sweater, and her arms are crossed so her breasts are pushed together and higher.

She doesn’t see me enter, and I scan the room quickly, looking for Gray. I don’t see him, and Billy emerges from under Leslie’s tiny car.

“Oh, hey, Miss Drew.” He pulls a towel out of his back pocket and walks over to me.

I notice for the first time he’s wearing Gray’s old work shirt. “Hey… I just brought you guys a little thank you gift.” I look around again. “For working so hard on the Jag. Where’s Gray?”

“Oh, he had to go get a part. We’ve been working on that old Chevy, you know? The exhaust system is shot. He found a replacement muffler for cheap at a junkyard and figured he’d take the truck and get it himself.”