Sara read the words scrawled across the top of yesterday’s assignment, just handed back to her by Mr. Jorgensen. Sara tried to stifle an ear-to-ear grin as she read the words written in bright red ink. Mr. Jorgensen glanced back at Sara as he handed the girl in front of her her paper, and when Sara’s eyes met his, he winked at her. Sara felt her heart jump. She felt very proud. This was a new feeling for Sara, and one, she noticed, that she liked very much. Sara couldn’t wait to get to the thicket to talk to Solomon. “Solomon, what has happened to Mr. Jorgensen?” Sara asked. “He seems like a different man.” He’s the same man, Sara; you’re just noticing different things. “I don’t think I’m noticing different things; I think he’s doing different things.” Like what, Sara? “Well, like he smiles a lot more than he used to. And sometimes he whistles before the bell rings. He never used to do that. He even winked at me! And he’s been telling better stories in class, making the class laugh more.
