Page 31 of The Endowment Effect

This washispunishment.

Principal Welch appeared just as surprised. “Well, I suppose that would be something Mrs. Wellborn would have to agree to.”

Lucas grabbed her arm in a desperate attempt to change her course of direction, but Bernadette refused to look him in the eye.

She continued on her perilous trek. “Parents have to pay for the after-school program, correct?”

Principal Welch nodded, “That’s right. It’s a nominal charge, but it’s not free.”

“Well, I’d be happy to watch Birdie at no charge. I’m sure Mrs. Wellborn, like anyone, would appreciate a few extra dollars in her pocketbook.”

Lucas reared back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest and pasted a sour expression on his face. Every person in Wayward knew Shelby Wellborn was a God-fearing, self-righteous, penny-pinching harpy.

Her daughter was no better.

This could not be happening.

Birdie’s mama was going to jump all over the chance to save a few dollars. At his expense. And he’d end up having to wear his football pads every day after school.

Principal Welch, remained silent and then said, “Birdie, Lucas, wait outside my office for a moment while I speak with Miss Bernadette in private.”

Lucas followed Birdie, both of them trudging through the door as if asked to recite poetry.

Wearing dresses.

Because honestly, Birdie was as unlikely to wear a dress as Lucas.

Today she wore her usual white T-shirt and jeans, that weren’t too short, and scuffed leather tennis shoes.

While Birdie dressed as if she were about to go frog gigging, her younger sister, Maisie, came to school in brand-new, spotless clothes. Even dresses.

Outside the office, to the right, there was one long bench. Lucas stood to the side, allowing Birdie to take a seat. Deferring to females was deeply ingrained in him from the moment he stepped inside Bernadette’s home.

Seeing she’d allowed room for him as well; he began to lower to the bench.

“Don’t even think about it.”

He stopped, mid-sit, and straightened with an eye roll.

“You’re… so… offensive.” There. That was a new word he’d just learned. And it fit her perfectly.

“Here’s a tip, Dookie Lukey, don’t ever allow others to offend you.”

He turned to her, fingertips of both hands at his temples, his eyes bugging out of his head. “You called me a dirty bastard and stole mylunch three days in a row.”

“See? That’s your problem. You view what I did as being mean, I see it as helping you out.”

“Helping me? How?”

“Toughening you up. You’re a wuss. You let people walk all over you. Grow a spine already.”

“Jesus, what makes you like this?” he asked, leaning against the wall next to the bench, chastising himself for saying the whole “Lord’s name in vain” thing.

To his utter shock, Birdie Wellborn surprised him again.

“When you’re never enough, you learn to expect the same in others.”

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