Finally, finally, all the awards were passed out and the kids—and adults—were dismissed to the playground, where there were tables of food and drink set up and some games for the more active kids, and little tables for parents to sit with their kids.
“We appreciate you looking out for her,” Andy told Ms. Ellis. “It’s got to be hard to integrate a new kid so late in the school year, and I know she had some trouble…adjusting.” That was putting it mildly; Billie had been a bit of a nightmare for most of the first few weeks.
Ms. Ellis laughed, pushing her hair back again. “Well, I won’t sugar-coat it. She was difficult. She’s hardly the worst-behaved student I’ve met, however, and had a better reason for it than most. I daresay next year will go a little easier. I’ve put her in for the accel
