Logan takes the HUMANKIND WELCOME HERE! sign, holds it high. A chant starts up again. Logan ends with, “Thank you for adding your voices to ours. Thank you for your support.”

Her dad nods, beams at her, then me.

As we step down to more applause, Officer Sullivan takes our place. “We have a special guest with us today. Representing our district, State Senator Laura Luddy!” She gives a heartfelt statement on unity and community, then asks George Zentner, owner of Armageddon, the tattoo parlor that’s within a short walking distance from here, to come forward. Nana’s always had a soft spot for George. She calls him up and has him stop over whenever she makes his favorite blueberry crumb pie. George announces that funds are being collected to help us through this difficult time and gives the details on how people can contribute. Mom dabs at her damp eyes.

George holds a bucket and a scrub brush in his rubber-glove-covered hands. He dips the brush into the bucket and runs it over the spray paint. Almost immediately the paint begins to drip like bloody tears. Officer Sullivan brings over our garden hose. During the winter, we have it stored in the basement, but Dad must have hooked it up. People in front take a few steps back. George sprays the stone, washing away the paint.

A cheer goes up.

Some of the crowd begins to disperse, but many surround Mom, Dad, Logan, and me, sharing their opinions on the assignment. Several people tell us that they wrote Principal McNeil to express their disapproval. I thank each and every one. Standing among supporters with Logan is one of the most incredible feelings I’ve ever experienced.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Logan’s dad trying to get her attention. I nudge her and point to her dad. He holds up his keys, motions that he has to leave, and gives us a thumbs-up. I answer with one of my own.

Miss Wather comes over to us. “You did an amazing job speaking,” she says, clutching one of our HUMANKIND WELCOME HERE! signs. Before we can thank her, she adds, “You mentioned the commissioner’s announcement, but as far as I know the debate is still scheduled. In the future, the assignment will never be given again. Mr. Bartley is still holding the debate on Monday.”

Chapter 57: Mason

Fury radiates off Coach Hayes as he stands next to Principal McNeil in the team’s locker room. Mason plasters a puzzled expression on his face, hoping he looks innocent among his teammates. With a clenched jaw, Reg stands near Mason’s dad, glaring at everyone.

“Late last night, I received an anonymous email with an audio recording of one of our players spouting racial, anti-gay, and antisemitic slurs. I take this very seriously. This is a grave offense, one that would require expulsion under our school’s Hate Speech and Anti-Bullying Policy.”