I began up the hallway when I thought about Ellwood. Why wasn't he here today? I took out my phone and went down my list, found him and made the call. It rang four times and I thought it would go to his messages.
“Hello?” His voice sounded groggy.
“It's Lainey,” I said. “Where are you?”
“I'm at home. In bed. Why?”
“Didn't you know that classes resumed this morning?”
“No, I didn't.” There were noises in the background, a muffled purring. He had a cat?
“Well, we're getting a new English teacher for our writing class.”
“Oh, yeah? Who?”
I grimaced. I'd forgotten the name nearly as soon as it was said. “I can't remember. But the principal handed out some sheets. Should I get you copies?”
“Yeah. Sure.” There was more noise. “You said the principal handed out sheets?”
“I meant the presi
