“What do you mean by that?”
Mr. Bennet gestured to one side. Two security guards stepped onto the stage.
“Take these two to my office,” he said. “Keep them there until the police arrive.”
Rhonda snapped, “This is insane! We’ll return the money.”
“That’s not the point,” he said, louder now. “We trusted you, and you abused your position in this community. We allowed a student to be publicly accused without a proper investigation.”
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Then he looked across the room, over all the parents and teachers, and PTA volunteers. I followed his gaze and saw Leo standing right at the back.
“You abused your position in this community.”
“I’m so sorry, Leo,” Mr. Bennet said. “We should never have been so quick to accuse you.”
Leo nodded briefly.
Other people had turned now. They called out apologies or ducked their heads, not daring to speak.
I crossed the gym before I even realized I was moving. When I reached Leo, I cupped his face with both hands.
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“There’s my genius,” I said. “You did good here today. Do you know that?”
He glanced around the crowded gym. “I just told the truth, Mom.”
“I’m so sorry, Leo.”
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