JULY 3, 2:45 P.M.

Teacher Torturer tried to trip up SSSSpy today. However, much to his tormentor’s surprise, I responded, “The horse is confused because he can’t find the farm and they still have to go a long way before it’s time to chill out.”

“Stanford,” Mr. Glick said, looking at me over his glasses. “You are right on target.”

“I am?”

“Yes, yes,” he said excitedly. He turned to the class. “Who can elaborate on Stanford’s observations? Stanford just told us that the narrator and the horse have been together a long time. Yet there are miles left on their journey. That’s why the narrator says his horse must be confused that they are stopping.”

I said all that? Several hands in the room shot up. Mr. Glick pointed to a girl in the front. “Kate, could you build on Stanford’s premise?”

*  *  *

“Stanford!!!” the Roadrunners shout as I near the court. They always greet me like I’m some sort of hero. I pull my shoulders back. Stretch tosses the ball to me and we immediately start playing.

“You look happy,” Gus says. “You must have had a good day at work.”

“Yeah,” I tell him. “Today wasn’t bad.”