Addie Sutton was stunned by the slap from her grandmother. Her cheek stung, and her mind went blank with a loud BUZZ.
"What's wrong?" Felix Sutton's voice called out.
Addie snapped back to reality. With her eyes red-rimmed, she scrambled to get dressed.
"Felix, you need to deal with this damn girl!" her grandmother yelled. "She's already learned how to steal money at such a young age!"
Addie retorted, her voice choked with tears, "Grandma, I didn't steal any money."
Hearing this, her grandmother pointed at her nose and roared, "You didn't steal it? Then did the money in my room grow wings and fly away?"
Felix stood in the doorway, looking helpless. "Mom, keep it down. We have guests. At least let Addie keep some dignity."
Addie looked at him and sobbed, "Dad, I didn't steal Grandma's money. It really wasn't me."
"You damn girl, are you saying I'm falsely accusing you?" Her grandmother grabbed her by the ear. "You money pit, how dare you talk back!"
