Ms. Rait picked up her red marker and tapped it against the table. “When you’re about to play one of your football games, do you ask your coach if he thinks you can win?”

Danny snorted. “No.”

“But you’re asking me.” She puckered her lips and moved them sideways for a brief moment. “Why would you do that?”

“This is a test,” Danny said. “Not a game.”

Danny couldn’t help feeling annoyed. He knew he should hold his temper, but it burned him to have spent his afternoon slaving away only to be criticized for asking someone’s opinion. That’s all he was doing.

“A test that’s more important than a game,” she continued. “A test that could make the game irrelevant.”

“You’re not my coach,” he said.

“You better believe I’m not.”

Danny searched her face. Was that a smile lurking there beneath its surface? It made him choke with anger.

He pounded a fist on the table and jumped to his feet. “Fine! You want to play games with me? Go for it! But watch your back, lady! We’re tight in this town!”

Danny stormed out of the house, right out the back door. Mrs. McGillicuddy yowled and burst from beneath the steps, startling him so that he ran into her. The cat ran for cover, zipping into the chicken coop like a flash of light.

“Danny! You get back here!” Ms. Rait shouted. Danny could hear her clearly through the open windows, but he kept walking. “You think I’m intimidated? By anyone? You’re wrong!”

Danny covered his ears and took off running.