And when cowboys cheat at poker, they get the other cowboys’ money. But who gets hurt when someone cheats on a test?

Well, if I was getting brain surgery, I’d like to be sure my surgeon didn’t cheat his way through medical school—didn’t buy a passing grade in “How to open, repair, and close the human head.”

But mine was a geography test, so who did my cheating hurt? Or, rather, who would my cheating have hurt if I’d gotten away with it? If Mr. Teacher hadn’t changed the midterm from last year, if the answers had been right and I’d gotten an A. It wouldn’t have hurt the kids who studied for their A’s. They’d still get them. And—

“Sarah! You haven’t been listening to a word I’ve said!” my mother barked. “That’s so rude! So disrespectful! Have you any idea how hurtful it is to be tuned out like that?”

“Sorry,” I said. “I’m really tired.”

“Well, go to bed then,” she answered, still pouting.

So I did.

But I couldn’t sleep.

And I didn’t feel like reading.

I got out of bed and checked my e-mail. I knew there’d be a message from Katie, and there was.

It said:

S,

I’d NEVER do that and I can’t believe you thought I would!

KT

To be honest, it wasn’t just hard to imagine Katie ratting on me. It was impossible. But then again, like they tell us about prisoners of war and refugees—you never know how you or anyone else will act in a situation until you’re in it. Not that this was the same, but…

I reread Katie’s message, and I believed her. The relief of that belief (it even rhymes!) was delicious. But I didn’t answer her.

There was a message from Dan, too, saying hi and asking if I was okay. I deleted him. Zap!

Then I sat looking at the keys, wondering what I could write for Mr. Principal’s cheating essay that wouldn’t be total drool. I’d like to write something honest. He hadn’t said how long it had to be or anything. Maybe I could just say:

Cheating is confusing,

but getting caught is crystal clear.

*   *   *

Maybe I could turn it into a haiku!

I knew what he wanted and expected: a shamefaced apology, a claim that I’d been a wretched sinner but now I’m saved. That through the error of my ways, I’d learned my painful lesson and come to understand that “’Tis nobler to fail honestly than to succeed dishonestly,”

etc.

etc.

Spare me.

Rob