"We've only got this one daughter; why are you always picking fights with her? Isn't she obedient enough? When you were off teaching in another state, you hardly had a hand in raising her. I've been the one

taking care of her, and I think Shirley's just fine."

"It feels like you and your daughter are teaming up to drive me up the wall!"

Shirley was already feeling a bit choked up, and running into Abner during these moments only added to her guilt.

"Abner, that's just how my dad is, don't worry about it. You're such a great guy, they'll come to like you."

Abner didn't know what to say, still awkwardly standing to the side.

Shirley sighed and patted him on the shoulder.

"Let's have dinner and then head back to our rooms to do homework, okay?"

Abner nodded.

On Monday, Shirley took him to school to meet with the teachers. Given that school had already been in session for half a month, it was tricky to arrange a transfer at this time.

Mr. James was her high school homeroom teacher, and it was only because the school had just passed a policy allowing for mid-term transfers that she had the nerve to ask for his help.

She had the gift delivered directly to Mr. James' house via courier, not daring to bring it to school to avoid the judgmental looks from the office staff.

Mr. James, at thirty-eight, was a small, bespectacled man who seemed very strict at first glance.

But upon seeing Shirley, his face lit up with a smile.

my, how you've become even

grabbed by both hands, "Mr. James, I'm really hoping you can help with Abner. He's a bright kid, and I

Abner's situation with the teacher, who then

trouble at all. Since I've agreed,

though he seemed a bit thin, which only made his features stand

hands, "Looking at Abner, I think you've come to the wrong place. He should be on a movie set, not in a classroom. He'd definitely be

him under my wing. Let's get him to class after

sigh of relief,

wanted, not as a bribe, just something I've been meaning to give

which

James, though stern to others, had

a model

James lightly tapped Shirley on the forehead, "You shouldn't

James, it's the least I could do. I know it's not easy

James spoke gently, "I know you have a big heart, and helping Abner is

a merit for both

smiled and called out to Abner, "This is your

forward, shyly

in your senior year, must be busy, right? You head back to college, and I'll take

Abner aside to straighten

was wearing new clothes today, attracting many glances

glanced at her, then

his collar, Shirley felt a real sense of responsibility, as if she were taking care of

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