Thirteen Years Later, Two Blue Competition Badges Answered Every Question

The clerk turned the screen a little, as though Claire might read it upside down.

“I have Oak Ridge.

Four teams from Oak Ridge.

Those two names aren’t on any of them.”

Claire put her hand flat on the table.

The table was sticky under her palm.

Arthur set his briefcase down and opened it.

He took out a folder of his own: registration confirmations, a canceled check, a copy of the original roster with the school stamp in the corner.