The next two days passed at a glacial pace. I was having a horrible time concentrating, making silly mistakes at my work. I got a phone call from my mother, who told me that I was not to attend the school board meeting. She tried a different tack this time. "They're going to laugh at you. You know that right?" I just hung up.

My heart beat faster and faster as Thursday passed. Time seemed to go by in spurts and fits. I talked to Bill, letting him know that I was planning on standing with Sandy tonight.

"I understand. All I care about is that Paige loves her, and...