Worried about Jessica, I couldn't be bothered to engage with Mia's outrageous demand.
"Shouldn't you be the one paying for Sophia's tutoring? Why should I cover the cost?"
"You married my son, so your money is our family's money!"
I felt she was ridiculous. I couldn't even eat dinner.
I stood up and walked to Jessica's bedroom door, knocking gently.
"Jessica, can I come in? I'd like to talk to you."
The door opened just a crack, revealing Jessica's tear-streaked face.
My heart ached for her.
"Jessica, don't cry. I'm here."
I pushed the door open wider and pulled Jessica into my arms.
Outside, Mia's angry voice continued to ring out.
"You won't pay? Fine! But don't come crying to me when Sophia gets into Yale and you're left with regrets. Don't try to ride on her coattails then!"
I thought, "Yale?
At Sophia's level, she gets nine out of ten fill-in-the-blank questions wrong, and she thinks she can get into Yale. She's dreaming."
"Mom, I don't want to sleep in class, I really don't. I just can't help it. I'm so tired."
Jessica leaned against me, crying.
"I swear I'm not lying. I don't fall asleep on purpose. I'm not slacking off. I don't want to be called 'Sleepyhead.'"