Chapter 4

“Take out your math books and turn to page ninety-eight.” They had progressed from multiplication and division to fractions and geometry and Steven was attempting to show the kids the relationship between division and fractions.

Johnny Darby, usually the spokesman for the class, waved his hand wildly in the air while looking out the window. “Are we going to go home early, Mr. Hayes?”

“Why would you go home early, Johnny? The school day doesn’t end until three thirty.”

“The creeks flood sometimes, Mr. Hayes, and then the bus can’t pass through and then we have to stay in the high school gym because it’s on high ground.”

Steven turned around and looked out the window again. The rain had started to come down in sheets, soaking the dirt schoolyard, and there were large puddles forming in the parking lot.