“Would your mother please stand?”
Mrs. Ramirez squeezed my arm.
“Go on.”
I shook my head.
But the professor was waiting.
So I stood.
The applause grew louder.
Eli pointed toward me.
Owen waved.
And on the enormous screen above the stage appeared my face.
Claire Bennett.
Mother of the champions.
I looked toward Daniel.
He was standing now.
Not applauding.
Just standing.
His eyes moved from Eli to Owen.
Then to me.
He seemed to be calculating something.
Something terrible.
His mouth opened.
Vanessa seized his wrist.
He pulled away.
And suddenly I saw recognition arrive.
Not gradually.
Not gently.
It hit him so hard that he gripped the back of the chair in front of him.
He knew.
He finally knew.
After the ceremony, people crowded around my sons.
Students congratulated them.
Professors asked about their research.
A reporter from a local education publication requested an interview.
I remained near the auditorium wall, watching Eli and Owen answer questions with a confidence I had rarely seen.
