They Rejected My Daughter novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: The Offer

The vice principal led Ruby and me into the empty trophy-case alcove and shut the library door behind us.

He held the rulebook against his chest with both arms.

"The district allows a school to send up to ten students to the Math Challenge," he said. "Mr. Haskins capped Ridgeline at eight. Nobody ever asked him why."

"Do you know why?" I asked.

"I have an idea." His ears turned red. "Fewer seats meant each one was worth more. To the right parent."

I said nothing.

"We have two open places," he said. "I would like to offer one to Ruby. Her name goes at the top, and she's captain. She would transfer back on Monday."

He turned to my daughter.

"We were wrong about you, and I'm sorry I didn't say so in December. I didn't know it was happening. That's not a good excuse, and I know it."

Ruby looked at me.

I did not look back at her.

I had made up my mind to keep my face blank and my hand off her shoulder.

It had to be hers.

"Can I ask something?" Ruby said.

"Anything."

"Who is the ninth person on the list? The one who just missed?"

The vice principal blinked and checked the sheet.

"A girl named, ah." He looked up. "I don't have her name. The professor does."

"She doesn't need the name tonight," Ruby said. "But she should get the seat."

"Which seat?"

"The one you're giving me." Ruby pushed up her glasses with a knuckle. "I think she earned it. I didn't try out. I'd just be walking in because I was right about something in December."

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