“She’ll be sitting with us,” I told him.
The school auditorium was full of families. Mrs. Parker wore a purple sweater and smiled at the Halloween decorations. She said she hadn’t been back to the school since she retired.
Owen came out with his class. He spotted us and waved.
After their last song, the music teacher handed him the microphone.
“Before we finish, I want to ask someone to come up here,” he said.
He looked at our row.
“Mrs. Parker, would you please come onstage?”
She looked at me. “Me?”
I helped her to the steps. Owen took her hand and led her to the middle of the stage.
I expected him to thank her for coming.
Instead, he asked the music teacher to bring out a chair. Then he took the microphone again.
“Mrs. Parker, could you sit down for a minute?”
She laughed nervously, but sat.
