That’s extreme and unfair. Because it’s the Holocaust? Sounds like a super-sensitive response. The Holocaust was deplorable, but I support this teacher and Munro—we need our students to learn how to analyze and think for themselves. No one is going to take this assignment and conclude that what the Nazis did was right.

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NYRes4ever

@Instructor1

Extreme? Unfair? Sensitive? I have a family member with cognitive disabilities. In Nazi Germany, he would have been murdered under their practice of eugenics. For the millions of people in this world who fall into any of the “categories” Nazi Germany found unworthy of life, I find this assignment grossly offensive.

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Chapter 44: Heather Jameson and Jesse Elton

JESSE: (texting on his phone, sitting on the couch in the basement) Why did you dye your hair?

HEATHER: (texting on her phone, in her bedroom, curled up in her hanging bubble chair, a book lying open on top of the crocheted blanket draped on her lap) Because I wanted to.

JESSE: Is it because of what I said?

Heather hesitates. The hesitation seems like an affirmative answer and that annoys her. But she’s not sure what to say to Jesse. Does she owe him an explanation? Why is she texting with him?

Jesse keeps his eyes on his screen, waiting for those three dots to show that she’s responding. He’s blown his chances with her twice. The first time was at a Fourth of July party last year at Kerrianne’s house on Lake Ontario. He’d spent more time talking with Heather at that party than in the twelve years they’d gone to school together. Kissing her was one of the best moments of his life, and that says a lot, considering the successes he’s had playing hockey. They had fun on the beach—volleyball, roasting hot dogs at the bonfire, collecting rocks, walking in the surf. When it was time for the fireworks, they shared a blanket. He couldn’t believe how perfectly she’d molded to his body, cradled between his legs, leaning back against his chest, where a different set of fireworks was going off. He moved too fast, too far, and should have asked. He knows that now.

He can’t figure out how he messed up the second time. He wasn’t joking about forming the Aryans. Why was she offended? She should be proud. He’s proud to be a part of a superior race—good stock, as his father would say.

His younger brother calls from upstairs. “Hey Jesse, when you coming up to watch the Rangers? Dad wants to rewind and show you Hendrik Lundqvist’s amazing save.”

“Be right up,” he calls, but then those three dots appear.

HEATHER: Added incentive. I don’t believe in that superior bs. It’s wrong. But I’ve also wanted to dye my hair for a long time. I like it this way.”