“Ms. Vane, this is Mrs. Okafor. Dave is completely fine. He’s not hurt and he’s not in trouble.” A pause. “But something happened this morning and I think you should come in.”
Cloe’s hand tightened around the phone.
“What happened,” she said.
“A boy in his class said something about the article. About you and his father.” Mrs. Okafor’s voice was careful and warm. “Dave responded. Calmly. Verbally. No physical altercation.” A pause. “But what he said was. I think you should hear it from him directly. He’s in the reading room. He’s fine. He said to tell you he’s fine.”
Cloe lowered the phone.
Mac was already reading her face.
“Dave,” she said. “School. He’s not hurt. Something happened with another student.”
Mac was already moving toward the car.
Mrs. Okafor met them at the school en
