PrologueFirst week in December, Friday
The faculty room at New York City’s McClellan High School reeked of industrial strength cleaner, sweat socks, and chalk. The walls were made of dirty beige concrete blocks and the linoleum was beginning to crack. Today it was empty save for Coach Tom Hughes and Kane Brady, the junior year English teacher, who were involved in a heated exchange.
“Neither Johnny Sanders nor Deon Jackson did the work. They didn’t turn in one homework assignment all semester; they refused to take all of their tests and didn’t even bother to do their term papers. I have to fail them.”
“Do you realize that Johnny is the power forward and Deon is the point guard for McClellan High School’s basketball team? This year’s team has a shot at the state championship.”
“Tom, the
