Instead, I thought about Marcy, and about growing bigger than the smallest thing.
“Fine,” I said, and watched their faces light up with greed. “I’ll help you. But on one condition.”
“Anything,” my mother breathed.
“This Saturday, my winning collection debuts at the Halford Gallery downtown. Press, buyers, the whole town. I want you both there, in the front row, as my parents.” I smiled. “Come, and I’ll hand you exactly what you’ve got coming. In front of everyone.”
They thought they’d won.
They had no idea what I’d spent the last two days quietly arranging with a lawyer and a bank.
Chapter 4: One Condition
Saturday, the Halford Gallery was packed — collectors, reporters, my old teachers, the neighbors from the street of the little yellow house, and Aunt Marcy in the nicest dress she owned, confused about why I’d sat her in the second row instead of the front.
My parents sat front and center, exactly as invited, dressed up and glowing, my mother already dabbing at pre-emptive tears.
