I could tell from the hushed silence that nearly twenty students were seated quietly at their desks inside the modest-sized classroom. Pressing my ear gently against the wooden door, I listened intently, my breath shallow and measured.
From within came the authoritative voice of the teacher, ringing clearly from the front of the room: "Jayson Stand up"
My heart quickened inexplicably, and a ridiculous, involuntary smile tugged at my cheeks. The boy rising from his seat was my younger b ...