A little while later, the monsignor’s door opens again. Sister Mary Margaret steps out, her face impassive. “Mrs. Smithson?”
Jacob’s mother rises, taking Johnny’s hand in both of hers. “Have you found him?”
Avery leans against the wall beside his mother. When the nun shakes her head, he sighs.
“The monsignor will speak with you now,” she says. She ushers Mrs. Smithson and Johnny into the room. The door closes behind them.
Easing onto the bench, Avery picks at the ironed crease in his pants and waits for his mother to say something. Now they’re alone—classes ended hours ago, it seems, and the building is silent around them. Distant footsteps echo through the empty halls. He has to press his hand over his knee to keep it from shaking. He wants to leave, go find Jacob, find his boy and te
