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This was not the woman she wanted to be anymore Not the ed her and thought they knew her They thought she was trash

But she wasn’t trash And her children certainly weren’t trash

You can do it

Could she?

They’re bullies, Elsa That hat Rose would say The only way to fight a bully is to stand your ground

Be brave, Grandpa Walt would say Pretend if you have to

Clutching her handbag strap, she walked back into the school At the library door, she paused, but not for long, and then opened the door

The woht—turned to her Mouths dropped open

Martha took control “I thought we told you—”

“I heard you,” Elsa said She was literally quaking inside Her voice wavered “Now you will hear o to this school I will be a part of this Period” She sidled into the back row and sat down, cla her purse on her lap

Martha stared at her, lips pinched tightly together

Elsa sat still

“Fine You can’t i Ladies Sit down”

The women took their seats, careful not to be near Elsa

For the entire —more than two hours—no one looked back at her In fact, they were studiously avoiding her as they talked arants … live like hogs … lice … don’t know any better … shouldn’t be allowed to think they belong