“Is this one of Dr. Wallace’s projects?” Momma said when I was finished. I bit the inside of my cheek. “No, but—” I started. “Because it sounds a little . . .” Momma paused, searching for the word. “Fluffy to me. Why haven’t you picked one of the projects on her list? I think that would be better.” Her words slashed through me like a knife across my chest.
