Chapter 3
I took a deep breath and looked at her. "For Mia's lunch, I use premium imported beef that costs over 100 dollars per pound.
"The organic asparagus I buy comes in small boxes. Each one is over 7 dollars, and there are five or six spears inside.
"The eggs I use for deviled eggs are organic and pasteurized, and they cost 3 dollars each.
"As for those vegetables that cost 3 dollars per box, I would never let Mia eat them.
"If you think that's cheap, go ahead and buy it yourself. No one's going to stop you."
As soon as I finished, Linda immediately started making a scene. "So you think you're all that because you're rich? Does having money give you the right to push people around?
"It's a few lousy bucks. What's the point of flaunting it?
"You count every penny when cooking for the kid. With a mom like you, how could your kid turn out well?"
She started getting personal and taking shots at Mia.
My expression turned icy in an instant.
"Mind your mouth," I demanded. "Say one more thing about Mia, and I won't hold back."
My voice wasn't loud, but it carried the kind of presence I got from years of experience working as a head chef.
Linda was startled and stepped back.
But she quickly lifted her chin and yelled louder, "Hey, everyone! She's bullying me.
"Because she's got money, she thinks she's so special. She won't pack lunch for my kid, and now she's cursing me."
Then, the school security guard and the homeroom teacher, Jane Wiley, came running over.
Jane, fresh out of college, was dumbfounded when she saw what was happening.
She hurried over to break things up. "Please stop arguing. The kids are watching.
"If you have any problems, let's discuss them in the office, okay?"
As soon as Linda saw Jane, her attitude changed in a flash.
She grabbed Jane's arm, crying her heart out. "Ms. Wiley, please help me.
"Mrs. Bennett is throwing her money around to push ordinary people around.
"I only wanted her to pack lunch for Jason, but she wouldn't do it and yelled at my kid and me."
Watching her twist the truth like that made me sick.
Never in my lifetime had I met anyone so shameless.
Linda was clutching Jane's arm so hard that Jane could barely keep her balance, and could only look at me awkwardly.
I took a deep breath and met Jane's gaze.
"Ms. Wiley, things aren't as she claims," I explained. "She messaged me yesterday and asked me to make lunch for Jason every day, the same as what I make for Mia. But she'd only offer 3 dollars a day.
"I told her no, and today she cornered Mia and me at the school gate, started mouthing off, and made personal attacks against Mia and me."
I kept my voice steady and laid out the facts.
It was totally different from Linda, who was throwing a tantrum beside me.
The other parents watching started whispering among themselves.
"3 dollars? She expects someone to pack a gourmet lunch for that? Is she nuts?"
"I've seen Mia's lunches. They're never the same and look pricey. No way 3 dollars would cover it."
"This mom is out of line. She's trying to mooch off others."
"Seriously, if Mrs. Bennett doesn't want to do it, why corner her and throw a tantrum? That's shameless."
The whispers from the crowd made their way to Linda's ears.
Her cheeks drained of all color.
She released Jane's arm, jabbed a finger at me, and snarled, "This isn't over. You'll pay for it."
With that, she marched straight into the school, off to hunt down Jason.
Jane gave me an awkward apology. "Mrs. Bennett, I'm so sorry you had to deal with all this. I'll talk to Mrs. Carter about this."
I shook my head. "It doesn't matter. And it's not your fault. But I hope she won't corner Mia and me again."
With that, I crouched down and gently hugged Mia, who was still visibly shaken.
I spoke softly to reassure her and watched her head through the school gate before finally turning to leave.
*****
I thought after all that drama at the school gate, even someone as shameless as Linda would at least tone it down.
But I still underestimated how low she could go.
By lunchtime that day, I got a call from Jane.
On the phone, Jane sounded weary and resigned.
She said Linda had gone to the principal and claimed the lunches I packed for Mia didn't meet food safety standards and could put the other kids at risk.
Linda demanded that the school ban students from bringing their own lunches and make everyone eat in the cafeteria.
When I heard that, my anger shot straight up.
Linda couldn't take advantage of me, so she wanted to ruin my chance to cook for Mia.
With Mia's food allergies, there was no way the school cafeteria could accommodate her needs.
If she couldn't bring her own lunch, Mia would have nothing to eat for lunch.
Linda was unbelievably nasty.