His teacher, Mrs.

Fontenot, knew my voice and hesitated when I asked how he had been doing.

She said his reading had gotten better, but he had quit raising his hand to answer questions.

Sometimes he dozed off during quiet time.

Two weeks before, he had apologized over and over after spilling some water, even though nobody was upset.

“I figured he was anxious about your travel schedule,” she said.

“I wish I had called you.”