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"Please go out to the car and ask Otis to come in," Louis said to Miss Stevens.
"That won't be necessary," Mrs. Ironwood countered quickly.
"But if my testimony is under some doubt . . ." He turned toward Mrs. Ironwood. "If need be, I'm sure I can convince my grandmother to corroborate my testimony too."
She stared at him. The fury that built in her face had turned her cheeks red and spread down her neck, making it crimson as well.
"You're not doing anyone any good, Louis," Mrs. Ironwood muttered.
"Except Mademoiselle Dumas," he said.
She bit down on her lower lip and then sat back, swallowing her rage.
"Very well. Under the circumstances, with this contradiction of facts, I don't see how we can ask our panel to render a clear judgment. I'm sure you all agree," she said. Mr. Norman, Miss Weller, and Deborah, her eyes wide, all nodded.
"Accordingly, I am declaring this hearing ended without concluding the question. I want to emphasize that this is not to say that the student in question has been exonerated. It's merely a declaration that a clear conclusion is not possible at this time."
She looked at me.
"You are dismissed," she said. Then she turned away, her frustration causing her to fume so intently, I thought I saw smoke come out of her ears. My heart was pounding so hard, the thumping echoing in my ears, I was sure everyone in the room heard it as clearly. "I said, the hearing is ended," Mrs. Ironwood snapped when I didn't get up quickly. I stood up.
Louis rose and walked out with me and Miss Stevens.
"Why did you bring him, Miss Stevens?" I asked as soon as we were out of the inner office. "Mrs. Ironwood is so angry she's liable to take it out on you."
"I thought about it and decided I couldn't lose my best artist," she said, smiling. "Besides, once Louis heard what was happening to you, I couldn't have kept him away, could I, Louis?"
"Absolutely not," he said, smiling.
"And your eyesight is so improved, Louis!" I exclaimed. "You read the time to the minute."
He smiled again, and Miss Stevens laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"Louis anticipated being challenged with his eyesight and asked me the exact time just before we entered the office," Miss Stevens explained.
"I knew if I was off a minute or so it would still be impressive," he said.
"But you weren't. You were right on the minute," I cried. I hugged him. "Thank you, Louis."
"It was fun. I've finally done something for someone else," he said.
"And you'll probably get in trouble with your grandmother for it," I said.
"It doesn't matter. I'm tired of being treated like a child. I can make my own decisions and answer for my own actions," he declared proudly.
We continued down the hallway toward the exit, the three of us holding hands. Suddenly I burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing?" Louis asked, a smile of anticipation on his face.
&nb
sp; "My sister, Gisselle. I can't wait to tell her and see the expression on her face."
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"What!" Gisselle shrilled. "You're not expelled from Greenwood?"
