My Teacher Threw My Report About My Marine Dad’s Dog in the Trash and Made Me Apologize—Then Scout Walked Into Our Classroom

“Is that completely clear on the original page?”

Clara studied it.

The sentence referred to Scout deciding when the work was finished.

But it didn’t fully explain that the remark was humorous rather than a military rank claim.

She hesitated.

“Not as clear as I thought.”

Patel waited.

“I should have written that it was a joke,” Clara admitted.