“You were implying it.”
“No.”
Camille shook her head.
“I asked what you saw.”
“You gave me assumptions.”
Lorraine looked at the small crowd.
Phones were visible.
Her posture changed.
“I didn't know whose child he was.”
Camille became still.
Marcus looked directly at her.
“That sentence is the problem.”
Lorraine realized too late.
“I mean I didn't know he was part of the event.”
“No.”
Marcus shook his head.
“You said whose child.”
Lorraine’s face reddened.
Camille spoke quietly.
“My son does not need important parents before he deserves ordinary dignity.”
Lorraine looked confused.
Then a park employee whispered something to another.
Mayor Reed.
Lorraine heard it.
She stared at Camille.
Recognition arrived.
“You’re—”
“Yes.”
Camille did not smile.
Lorraine looked toward Marcus.
Then Isaiah.
“Oh.”
Her entire expression changed.
“I didn't realize.”
Marcus’s face became colder.
Camille asked:
“Would you have behaved differently if you had?”
Lorraine said nothing.
That was answer enough.
Marcus placed his hand on Isaiah’s shoulder.
“My son didn't become innocent when you recognized his mother.”
Camille stood beside him.
“He didn't become respectable when his father arrived.”
Marcus continued.
“He was exactly the same child twenty minutes ago.”
“Seven.”
“Fundraising.”
“Wearing a badge.”
“Talking about robots.”
Camille looked toward Lorraine.
“The facts never changed.”
“Only your story did.”
Lorraine lowered her eyes.
For the first time, she had nothing to defend herself with.
CHAPTER 6: ISAIAH'S ANSWER
Camille requested the incident number.
All security video.
Body-camera recordings.
Dispatch notes.
Park reports.
She did not threaten anyone.
Did not ask for firings.
Did not announce her office.
That mattered to Marcus.
He stood beside her the entire time.
When everything was documented, Camille turned toward Isaiah.
“Do you want to go home?”
He looked toward the Robo Cubs booth.
Ms. Parker stood there with the other students.
The rescue robot sat on the demonstration table.
Isaiah looked back.
“When's the next demo?”
Marcus blinked.
“Seriously?”
“What?”
Camille nearly laughed.
“You just had security called on you.”
“I know.”
“You can leave.”
“I know.”
“Then why do you want to stay?”
“Because I'm doing sensors.”
Marcus looked at Camille.
“That stubbornness is yours.”
Camille pointed.
“No.”
“Absolutely.”
Isaiah rolled his eyes.
“Can I do the demo?”
Marcus crouched.
“You don't have to prove anything.”
“I know.”
“You're not staying so that lady thinks you're good.”
“I know.”
“Why are you staying?”
Isaiah pointed toward the booth.
“Because we built a robot.”
Marcus nodded.
“Okay.”
Lorraine remained nearby.
Isaiah noticed her.
He looked at the remaining fundraising cards.
Then walked toward her.
Both parents instinctively moved.
Marcus stopped first.