My mother's lips trembled, and tears began welling up again.
But this time, not a single person in the crowd said a word. Even Mrs. Carter, who had been defending her moments ago, stood off to the side with her arms crossed, her expression conflicted.
My mother lowered her head and asked quietly, "Can I not pin it for that long? A whole month is too long... If someone I know sees it, I'll never be able to show my face again..."
"Then let the court decide."
I looked at her.
"The court ordering you to publish a public apology will be far more humiliating than having it pinned for thirty days."
The last shred of hope in her eyes disappeared.
"I... I'll write it."
She sat right there on the ground, typing out the apology one word at a time on her phone.
The wind swept through, whippin
