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had no idea what Sunday would bring. We’d asked Stephen and some of the deputies to be onsite just in case, but we wanted them to stay outside in their civilian cars. As Darren said, “No need to escalate things before they get rising on their own.”
We spent the next few days preparing—cleaning up the school again, making rich, baked things that could soothe spirits and tongues, getting together to plan the day, which really was more about comforting each other than it was about schedules and such. Sunday could go any which way, and we all knew that.
Still, the day arrived, same as always. It was cool but sunny, clear skies, and the hint of green on the tips of the trees. Spring was coming, sure enough.
Most of us, including the Joneses, arrived at the school about noon to set up.
