Fatal Affection, Bitter End

despair. The radio announcement ha

" a boy in the front wailed,

uit, looked like she was about to explod

shame for the scene she' d caused, t

is wet hair. "It' s just a little setback. Your

ve anger of the other parents, which h

ck finger at Susan. "You crazy woman! You were trying t

finger towards Mark. "Look at him! He' s old enough to be

backward into Susan. Another parent grabbed Susan' s hair. Mark, tryin

tic, desperate brawl

itter appetizer. I saw Susan get knocked to the ground. I saw

e cutting through the noise

sed, turning

y. Her cheek was red and swollen, but she was mor

o be okay, swee

an and Mark. I dialed a number I had for the Mayor' s public liaison offi

istrict bus for the college entrance exam with about thirty students. The bridge on Route 7

e other end was flustered but professional.

spatching emergency transport. Helicopters. They will air

shouts swept through the bus

t with Mark' s help, actuall

running from her lip. "I made this happen! If I hadn' t made a scene, t

ust stared at h

her face etched with concern. "Professor, this is amazing, b

office has confirmed the city will cover the

r her and a few others to hear, but maki

like him," I nodded subtly toward Mark, "would have to arrange payment for a private charter. An

eyes widened i

the rain, their faces alight with deluded