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“And then he’d have heard you again.”

The answer lands somewhere I am not prepared to defend.

Efficient. Very fucking efficient.

“You do not need to protect me from how I speak.”

“I wasn’t protecting you.”

“Then what were you doing?”

“Everybody says my name wrong.”

I wait.

“He says yours wrong on purpose.”

I look back at the wheel.

“I hope he cried.”

Tova blinks.

“Mamma.”

“I am allowed private thoughts.”

“He did.”

“Good.”

Her mouth nearly moves.

I start the engine.

“I understand why you hit him.”

“You do?”

“Yes. That does not mean you may do it again.”

“He’ll do it again.”

“Then you go to an adult.”

“I did.”

“I know. Then you go to another.”

“How many?”

“As many as it takes.”

“That’s a bad answer.”

“It is.”

She waits.