“I—” said my dad, but the counselor held up his hand. For a root vegetable, he was pretty commanding.

“Now, I get to sit with these feelings. We all do. And I get to pick up the pieces while you hide out here,” she said.

All I could think was that she didn’t know Missy Stephenson. Who was she talking about? And I guess I also started to wonder what he did. Why did she have to be ashamed my dad hugged people too much?

My dad didn’t try to defend himself. He just stared at the table.

This was definitely getting my vote for one of the least fun family activities ever.

“Kate?” said Elizabeth. “Do you feel like saying anything?”

I was glad Elizabeth didn’t use the word “share.” My sister hates the word “share” and the people who use it.

Kate glared at my dad. Her crooked bangs were growing out, so only her right eye was visible. It was angry enough for both eyes.

“I’m trying not to hate you,” she said. And then she started crying. She got up and went to sit between Cavendish and Lavender, who moved to let her in. They put their arms around her.

I thought I was going to throw up. It was hard to breathe. I wondered if I might be dying. I used to have such a fun life.

“Rodney?” said Elizabeth. “Is there anything you’d like to say to your father?”

I shook my head.

“MAKE HIM TALK!” shouted Kate. “It’s not fair that he gets to just tune this out while the rest of us are having the worst time of our lives. I bet he doesn’t even know half of it.”

“Come on, Kate,” said my dad. “Get off his case.”

“YOU DON’T GET TO TALK!” yelled Kate.

“I’ll pass,” I said, only semi-violating my no-talking policy. And then, because I don’t have very much self-control, I kept talking.

“Why aren’t we suing them? Or at least Missy Stephenson?”

Everyone looked at me. My dad didn’t seem to know what I was talking about.

“The women. The ones who lied about you. Are we going to sue them?”

My dad swallowed like he had something in his throat and was afraid he was going to choke.

“I want to sue Van Johnson. And those reporters who came to the school.”

“I…” said my dad. “We…”

“Rodney,” said my mom. “Why would we sue the women?”

Everyone was very still.

“Because they’re lying. Right, Dad?”

“Some things have been misconstrued,” said my dad.

And then everyone started talking at once.

“Jeremy, you need to come clean,” said my mom.

“Why don’t you tell him what happened?” said Kate.

“I think we need to dial it down a bit. Give people time to collect themselves before we continue,” said Elizabeth. But no one listened to her. Especially not me.