The district's budget meeting was held in the school cafeteria, under fluorescent lights that made every face look tired.
I went because Dr. Keane had asked me to answer technical questions about the stage. Lena sat at the front table beside him. When I came in, she looked up, then looked away before I could tell whether she was relieved I'd come.
The room filled with teachers, parents, and a few students whose parents had brought them along. A board member read the budget proposal aloud. The after-school theater program was listed under "possible reductions," along with two other activities. Lena spoke about enrollment and the students' work. Dr. Keane spoke about the building's condition.
When the board member asked about the stage, I stood.
"I inspected it last week," I said. "The f
