I inhale the lavender body wash, and my muscles loosen under the pounding hot water after band camp Thursday night. I’m bushed after being literally on my feet for most of the last twelve hours, and rehearsal was stressful. Ms. Cortez chewed out the section leaders at the meeting beforehand because the band was playing and marching sloppily, and it’s taking too long to learn the moves. The section leaders made us feel their pain.
After throwing on pajamas and braiding my hair into pigtails, I go to the kitchen for some comfort food.
Mom and Dad are standing at the kitchen island, whispering as I walk in. They stop and give me those weird, strained, parent grins.
I raise my eyebrows. "What"s going on?"
"Have you seen the news today?" asks Dad.
"Why?"
Mom bites her lip. "Maybe you sho
