Mrs. Bright looked at Anita with pity, and Anita replied, "Nothing, Mom, I'm just a little sad."
"Don't give me that as an excuse. What happened, or do you want me to ask your father to reprimand and ground you in this house? Now tell me the truth, why are you crying?"
Mrs. Bright was a no-nonsense woman and didn't have the patience for pampering her children as much as her husband did. She was strict and didn't waste time disciplining anyone who messed up with her, be it her children, which sometimes made Anita and her siblings wonder if she was truly their mother or a stepmom. Nonetheless, Mrs. Bright could be sweet at times.
"What's the problem? Did you fight with anyone? Tell me the truth. You know I don't like to be kept waiting," Mrs. Bright questioned, and Anita answered, "It's n
