“I’m saying they came to her. And her responses were carefully constructed and thought out. As a teen psychologist for over two decades, I know a thing or two about handling sensitive subjects. And with the popularity of the blog, she could’ve posted a slew of things merely to get attention, but she didn’t. She took the time and care to answer them without judgment or fear of reprimand.”

“When kids are left without safe places to ask the hard questions, they wind up…” Mom glanced at me, her eyes sympathetic. “They make poor choices out of sheer ignorance. Denying them the option to ask is like putting blinders on them.”

Tanner smirked. “I’m sure a person in your line of work would run this school very differently,” he said. “No topic would be off-limits, would it? I daresay there would be a class that teaches how best to get someone off—”

“That’s enough,” Dad cut him off, his tone lethal. “Watch what you say, Ed.”

My eyes widened at Dad’s use of Tanner’s first name. It sounded like a slap in the face.

“You called us here,” he continued, “to discuss the situation at hand. Don’t make this a personal attack.”

Tanner straightened, a slight nod as if to say he knew he’d gotten carried away. “An example must be made,” he said again. “I’m willing to allow Amber to graduate and to leave her fate at MIT up to the admissions board with no marring on my end…”

My heart filled with hope as I waited for him to finish.

“If she is willing to appear before the entire school and district board and take responsibility for her actions.”

“But—”

Tanner held up a finger, cutting Dad off. “As well as have the appearance live so the other schools affected by her actions can find closure as well.”

“Closure?” Mom rolled her eyes. “That can be achieved with a final statement on the website. A written, heartfelt apology before the site is taken down.”

“That’s not enough,” Tanner said.

“If her identity is confirmed,” Dad said, leaning forward in his chair, “the protesting parents could confront her directly. Not to mention the students. It puts her at risk for emotional backlash at the very least. Physical at the worst.”

Tanner flinched slightly but shook his head. “She should’ve considered that before she created this torrid website.” He folded his hands together. “Those are my terms. If you don’t like it, I’ll be fine with convincing the admissions board at MIT that she’s not the material they’re looking for and to deny her graduation until she completes another year here at Wilmont.”

“You can’t do that,” Dad said.