I picked up the largest rock I could palm and hurled it into Lake Ontario. I thought about what I said in Principal McNeil’s office, the irony. If there were Jewish students in our school, would you have us look them in the eye and deliver reasons to kill them? “Yeah,” I said, nodding. “I would have.”

Mom reached for me, pulled me into her arms. She said, “You spoke out because it was the right thing to do. That fills us with so much pride, Cade.” She shifted away, then added, “Dad and I talked about how much we admire your conviction and integrity. If you want, you could leave here. Go anywhere. We know you love the inn, but it doesn’t have to be your life. We want you to pursue your own dreams.”

Leave here. Go anywhere.

The idea is both exciting and terrifying. Leave Riviere. My family. The inn. Its walls, its history, our family’s legacy have always felt solid and safe. Even with financial struggles, we’ve survived. But this assignment, Nana, the spray-painted message of hate—they’ve taught me that safety is a facade, one that can fall in a second.

Do I want to stay in Riviere?

I don’t have an answer.

Looking around Mr. Bartley’s classroom, I see Mason inch his desk as close to Kerrianne without touching her. He stares straight ahead and so does Jesse. The largest gap between chairs is between those two.

Sliding into the empty seat next to Spencer, Mr. Bartley completes our circle. “I have some important things to say and I need all of you not only to listen, but to understand.”

I brace myself. This is it, I think. Do or die. Mr. Bartley said he’s going to fix this mess he made. I’m not at all confident he can. But hope is a strange partner. It keeps you holding on to a thread, even as you watch it unravel.

Mr. Bartley looks around to make sure he has everybody’s attention. Sixteen pairs of eyes, including the World War II veteran’s, are fixed on him.

“The Nazi debate at the Wannsee Conference was morally reprehensible. I now see that the assignment was misguided, insensitive, and grossly inappropriate. I accept full responsibility for what has transpired since I gave it to you. I take full responsibility for my failure as a teacher. I owe each of you an apology and I ask for your forgiveness.”

Wow. Didn’t expect that.

Mr. Bartley looks at Logan and me.

A murmur goes through the room.

I’m grateful he doesn’t hold our gaze for long. It feels like he’s asking too much. At this point, to say I forgive him would be a lie.

Chapter 66: Lieutenant Peter Franklin