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"Uh-oh," Willia up at Kate

Lucas laughed "Wil-lies in tro-uble," he chanted

Marah wrenched free, and ran upstairs, sla the door shut behind her

"Lucas," Johnny said "Stop teasing your brother And stay back frolass on the floor "

Kate sighed and reached for a towel

The next day, Kate pulled into the school drive-through lane just three ally, she hurried into the office, signed Marah out for the day, and then walked down to her classrooht, after the moment of conversation and connection between the could restart the engine, and so Kate had had to formulate plan B A surprise attack

Peering through the rectangular glass , she knocked once, saw the teacher wave at her, and went inside

Most of the kids smiled at her and said hello That was one of the benefits of constant volunteering: everyone knew you All the kids looked happy to see her—or at least happy for this disruption in class

All the kids except one

Marahs face wore the what-are-you-doing-at-school-erimace Kate was more than familiar with it She knew the middle school rules: parents should be invisible

The bell rang and the kids ran fro loudly

When they were alone, Kate went to Marah

"What are you doing here?"

"Youll see Get your things Were leaving "

Marah stared up at her, obviously assessing the situation frole "Okay Ill meet you at the car, okay?"