“There has clearly been a misunderstanding,” he said, glancing at the students. “Lucas may not have explained his mother’s role accurately.”
Admiral Carter turned toward him.
“I commanded the joint operation in which Colonel Miller flew,” he said. “I understand her role perfectly.”
The room went still.
Mom did not smile. She placed the document on the podium and looked directly at my teacher.
“Did you question my son privately,” she asked, “or did you call him a liar in front of his class?”
Mr. Reynolds opened his mouth, but three students in the front row lowered their eyes.
Principal Harris reached for the paper. Her face changed after reading the first line.
“This is an official commendation,” she whispered.
Admiral Carter faced the audience.
“It is more than that. It explains why forty-three people returned home.”
Then he asked the technician to display the sealed mission record on the auditorium screen.
