Mrs. Overby thought she knew what was happening with Dave. She had seen this before—kids who got so nervous that they made themselves sick rather than talk in front of the class. It surprised her, because Dave wasn’t shy at all. Ever. In fact, none of this year’s fifth graders were the least bit shy or nervous about talking. Ever.

But the teacher took pity, and she said, “You’d better go get some water. You two can give your report later.”

Lynsey gave Dave a disgusted look and went back to her desk.

Dave nodded at Mrs. Overby, coughed a few more times for good measure, and hurried out of the room.

And with Dave out in the hall getting a drink, it’s the perfect time to tell why he was in the middle of his fourth hour of not talking, and why he had decided to keep quiet in the first place.