Don’t argue with her.”

He nodded and said he would let the secretary know.

I stood at my car door with the key in my hand and didn’t get in, because driving away would have felt like agreeing.

Ellen Brandt, who had taught Chloe’s Sunday school class two years in a row, came down the steps clutching her purse to her chest.

She stopped when she saw my face.

“Brenda.