Chapter 9

My mother came walking up to me, her cold blue eyes warming up a bit. “He’s so gifted,” she whispered, checking the doorway to make sure her other grandkids wouldn’t hear her. “Mona told me about the IQ test. Why didn’t you tell me?”

I didn’t need that test to tell me how smart my boy was. Or maybe it was something else. What would I score on an IQ test?

I could barely read or write. He sure hadn’t gotten his brains from me.

“You willpay for that school, Nicolai. You will give your son the best opportunities in life.” She tapped my cheek. “That’s your job.”

We didn’t discuss it any further. There was no point.

Later, while Mom and my sister-in-law Kenya set the table, I went to the living room.