In February, the replacement part still hadn't arrived.
The west line remained closed. We used the south stairwell and the newer study rooms. The cold in Hawthorn Hall settled into everything: the bed frames, the window glass, the back of my hands. Girls wore their coats to evening study.
The school gave us an update every Friday. At first, it said the part was delayed. Then it said the contractor needed to verify the model number. The third week, the update disappeared from the bulletin board.
I asked Mrs. Bell about it.
"They're still working on it," she said.
"Can we see the inspection report?"
"Students don't usually receive contractor reports."
"Could we get a summary?"
"I'll ask."
Headmistress Dyer did not provide one.
Mom called and asked how the dorm was. I told her about
