Speak Up Chapter 04
Holloway looked up toward the door.
The first person to enter was my mother.
She stood at the threshold, her eyes scanning the room before they finally settled on me.
The second person was my father.
He dispensed with pleasantries, walking straight to Holloway’s desk.
He took an ID case from the inside pocket of his suit jacket, flipped it open, and placed it on the desk.
“State Board of Education. Charles Pierce.”
Holloway glanced down, and her face went white.
“Mr. Pierce?”
My father didn’t respond.
He took out his phone and made a call.
“Foster, I’m in the Student Affairs Office at Northgate Prep.”
The principal’s panicked voice came through the speaker.
“What’s happened? I’ll be right there.”
My father put his phone away, pulled out a chair, and sat down without another word.
Beads of sweat began to form on Holloway’s forehead.
She shot a nervous glance at Veronica.
Veronica’s expression had changed, too, but she was still trying to keep her composure.
The third person to enter was my aunt Kate.
She had a camera on her shoulder and a press badge hanging from her neck.
She entered the room and immediately swept her lens over everyone present.
“I hope no one minds.”
She smiled, but her tone was ice.