“Thank you,” Jess said. “I wanted to ask if his grandfather could attend with him. My father-in-law. Danny’s father.”
There was a pause on the line.
“Let me check with Dr. Prentiss,” Mrs. Kerr said.
She put us on hold. Classical music. Something with violins.
Three minutes later, she came back.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Halloran,” she said. “Dr. Prentiss says the event is specifically designed for fathers. He feels a grandparent would not be appropriate given the core theme.”
Jess stared at the phone.
“The core theme,” she said.
“The father-son bond,” Mrs. Kerr said. “Dr. Prentiss has been very clear. Last year there were some concerns about the event losing focus. Mothers attending. Uncles. Family friends. He wants to restore the original tradition.”
“His father is dead,” Jess said. “He died in Afghanistan. Your school gives my son a scholarship because his father is dead.”
“I understand,” Mrs. Kerr said. “And Caleb is very welcome in the library. We’ll have juice and
