I Hid My Perfect Score novel · Chapter 25 of 32

Chapter 25: Parent of the Year

"Read me the rest," I said.

"Joss."

"All of it, Dad."

He read it.

Dodie sat up in the bottom bunk and listened with her chin on my mattress rail.

The reporter called Mom "a hometown mother whose daughter made national news."

Mom said I was always her quiet one.

She said she knew I was special by the time I could read.

She said she'd pushed me to aim far from home, because a gift needed room.

"She picked Alaska?" Dodie whispered.

"Apparently."

"People don't understand the sacrifices," Dad read, in Mom's words. "We took out loans for our children's education. That's what you do."

Dodie made a noise like a kettle.

"There's a quote they put in big letters," Dad said. "In the middle of the page."

"Read it."

He sighed.

"I always told my girls, don't hide your light."

Nobody said anything for a second.

Then Dodie lay back down and put her pillow over her face.

"I'm going to be sick in my starter," she said through it.

"And Paisley?" I said.

"Taking a gap year," Dad read. "To focus on her wellness."

"She was expelled."

"I know, honey." His voice went tired. "I was in the room."

I thought that was all of it.

It wasn't.

"There's one more thing," Dad said. "The town PTA council called the house last night. After they read the early edition."

"And?"

"They're naming your mother Parent of the Year."

I laughed.

It came out of me like a cough.

"For what?"

"For raising a perfect scorer," Dad said. "That's what the letter says. There's a luncheon at the golf club. June twelfth. She's writing a speech."

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