“Second semester I get the Civil War instead of the Constitution.

It’s like being handed a better chair.”

He set the level down and asked about the board letter without looking up, the way he asks about something he’s been chewing on since breakfast.

“Dismissed,” I said.

“In writing.”

“Good.” He turned the bench over and sat on it, and it didn’t rock.

“Carl said something last week that I keep coming back to.

He said a man who forges one signature has usually forged four.”