Sometimes reading helps, but I was so gripped by the book I was reading that it kept me up. That and Pippin and Frodo barking. Mom drove Bryce and me to the elementary school later that afternoon. Parents and leaders had a pre-sleepover meeting, complete with pizza and sub sandwiches. The kids would arrive in an hour. The principal, Mrs. Genloe, had several things planned. The kids would eat when they arrived at six. At seven, a clown would perform (which made Bryce roll his eyes). Mrs. Genloe said the clown had trained pigs that did tricks. Then Mom would tell her story. “And we have a special presentation on safety by a surprise duo,” the principal said. “With all the talk about the assault, we don’t want to brush this under the rug.” “What about the bonfire?” somebody asked. Mrs. Genloe frowned. “Because of the assault, we won’t be having our annual bonfire.” Between 9 and 11 the climbing wall, an inflatable jumping castle, dodgeball, and other games would be set up in the gym.
