were under a rock and missed the news or the brand-spanking-new sign out front, that you are no longer Prospect Knights. You are Nicolae Carpathia Doves!”
She may have expected an enthusiastic response, because she appeared taken aback at a smattering of boos and laughter. But when the teachers jumped to their feet in applause, most of the students began cheering too. Judd thought at first that they were just mocking the teachers—as usual—but it soon became clear the celebrants were serious.
Mrs. Jenness beamed. “I’m so pleased that you’re pleased,” she said. “We recognize that this decision was made without your input, but there was nearly unanimous support at the administrative level. Really, your response is most gratifying. There had long been talk that our school name, steeped in history as it was, was unimaginative, merely echoing the name of the town in which we reside. And a knight is, of course, a warrior, which has long been an offensive mascot.
“To be named after so great and humble a leader and pacifist like UN Secretary-General Nicolae Carpathia, well, that should make us all proud.”
The students chanted, “Nicolae High! Nicolae High! Nicolae High!”
Mrs. Jenness smiled, then raised her hands for silence. “I recognize that we reconvene only weeks after the most tragic event to ever curse our planet. Many of you lost friends and loved ones and will be grieving. Thank you for recognizing the importance of returning for your education, regardless. As you can imagine, the counseling services offered by our school district have been taxed beyond their limits. But as you see a need for a professional to talk to, please put your name on the waiting list. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to ask. We’re all trying to get through this.”
Judd felt a nudge, and Vicki nodded toward a couple of seniors several rows ahead. “Are those Bibles?” she said.
“Looks like it,” Judd said. “You know them?”
Vicki shook her head. “Hey, look.”
A football coach Judd recognized approached the seniors and knelt in the aisle. He spoke earnestly to them, smiling, but came away with both Bibles. As he hurried past, Judd reached out and whispered, “What was that all about, Coach Handlesman?”
“Mind your own business, Thompson,” Handlesman said. “We haven’t allowed Bibles here since before you were born.”
“But even now, after what happened?”
“Especially now,” the coach said, moving on.
“Remember what they look like, Vicki,” Judd said. “We’re going to need all the friends we can get.”
Mrs. Jenness droned on about the difficulties and trauma, the mixed classes, the complicated inconveniences. “Bear with us as we try to regroup and reschedule. The ratio of missing students and faculty seems fairly even, so class size should remain approximately the same as before.
“Those of you who lost textbooks, deal with that in each class and make your purchases in the bookstore by Friday. Now before I dismiss you, I would like to ask for your help. After an international tragedy that has struck so close to home, it’s only natural to want to talk about it. It’s therapeutic, and our counselors have advised me to let you have at it. Today in your abbreviated classes, we have asked faculty to get the housekeeping announcements out of the way, the book business taken care of, and any outlining of new class expectations dealt with quickly. Then they are free to supervise group discussions. Some of you will need to tell your stories of loss and fear. Others may choose not to speak of their ordeals. Please be respectful of those students and don’t badger them for details before they’re ready to be forthcoming.
“Now, here’s what you can do for me. As you know, there has been widespread speculation about the cause of the vanishings. According to our consultants, part of the healing process—the making sense of this—involves forming and expressing your opinions on this.
She may have expected an enthusiastic response, because she appeared taken aback at a smattering of boos and laughter. But when the teachers jumped to their feet in applause, most of the students began cheering too. Judd thought at first that they were just mocking the teachers—as usual—but it soon became clear the celebrants were serious.
Mrs. Jenness beamed. “I’m so pleased that you’re pleased,” she said. “We recognize that this decision was made without your input, but there was nearly unanimous support at the administrative level. Really, your response is most gratifying. There had long been talk that our school name, steeped in history as it was, was unimaginative, merely echoing the name of the town in which we reside. And a knight is, of course, a warrior, which has long been an offensive mascot.
“To be named after so great and humble a leader and pacifist like UN Secretary-General Nicolae Carpathia, well, that should make us all proud.”
The students chanted, “Nicolae High! Nicolae High! Nicolae High!”
Mrs. Jenness smiled, then raised her hands for silence. “I recognize that we reconvene only weeks after the most tragic event to ever curse our planet. Many of you lost friends and loved ones and will be grieving. Thank you for recognizing the importance of returning for your education, regardless. As you can imagine, the counseling services offered by our school district have been taxed beyond their limits. But as you see a need for a professional to talk to, please put your name on the waiting list. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to ask. We’re all trying to get through this.”
Judd felt a nudge, and Vicki nodded toward a couple of seniors several rows ahead. “Are those Bibles?” she said.
“Looks like it,” Judd said. “You know them?”
Vicki shook her head. “Hey, look.”
A football coach Judd recognized approached the seniors and knelt in the aisle. He spoke earnestly to them, smiling, but came away with both Bibles. As he hurried past, Judd reached out and whispered, “What was that all about, Coach Handlesman?”
“Mind your own business, Thompson,” Handlesman said. “We haven’t allowed Bibles here since before you were born.”
“But even now, after what happened?”
“Especially now,” the coach said, moving on.
“Remember what they look like, Vicki,” Judd said. “We’re going to need all the friends we can get.”
Mrs. Jenness droned on about the difficulties and trauma, the mixed classes, the complicated inconveniences. “Bear with us as we try to regroup and reschedule. The ratio of missing students and faculty seems fairly even, so class size should remain approximately the same as before.
“Those of you who lost textbooks, deal with that in each class and make your purchases in the bookstore by Friday. Now before I dismiss you, I would like to ask for your help. After an international tragedy that has struck so close to home, it’s only natural to want to talk about it. It’s therapeutic, and our counselors have advised me to let you have at it. Today in your abbreviated classes, we have asked faculty to get the housekeeping announcements out of the way, the book business taken care of, and any outlining of new class expectations dealt with quickly. Then they are free to supervise group discussions. Some of you will need to tell your stories of loss and fear. Others may choose not to speak of their ordeals. Please be respectful of those students and don’t badger them for details before they’re ready to be forthcoming.
“Now, here’s what you can do for me. As you know, there has been widespread speculation about the cause of the vanishings. According to our consultants, part of the healing process—the making sense of this—involves forming and expressing your opinions on this.
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