September 18
The students started cheering. “This is impossible,” Tegan whispered. “Are we dreaming?”
“Don’t count on it yet,” Jeanne said. “Something weird is going on.”
Fran raised her hand as the cheering died down. “Why are you telling us?”
“I saw what most of you wrote on your ballots,” Mr. Walsh said. “Deacon has caused a great number of you to get into trouble for things that he started, or framed you for. It’s not even kids from this class, and it’s certainly not from just this year. I’m telling you this because I want to offer an apology. I’m sorry I had to hide all this from you.”
Jeanne puzzled it over in her mind. That explained why Deacon was in the principal’s office, and why he looked so pitiful as they passed by; but it didn’t answer why Gene was there as well. More than that, it didn’t explain who had organized the other kids into writing that Deacon had bullied them. “Something is definitely weird,” she murmured.
“You all did a very brave thing,” Mr. Walsh said. “Whenever Deacon did get in trouble, his dad found out who had told, and then told Deacon. It’s not unreasonable to think that this meant Deacon would have a very good chance of figuring out who told on him this time. Albert Einstein said that ‘the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.’ What you kids did the other day was insane. But it was also brave, and insanely awesome. I’m proud of you.” All of the students, Jeanne included, started clapping and cheering. “There is one other thing I’d like to know, though,” Mr. Walsh said. “Someone had to start the idea.”
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