Inside the classroom, tiered rows curved around a central discussion table. Sunlight poured through tall windows, warming the polished wood. Professor Miller stood near the front, arranging papers. At 52, he had the slightly distracted look of a man who cared more about ideas than appearances. His jacket was wrinkled at the elbow.
His coffee had gone cold beside his laptop. When Danny entered, he looked up. Ms. Carter? Yes, sir. David Miller.
Welcome. His handshake was firm. I read your application essay. Danny blinked. That fast?
I read everything they make me vote on. There was humor in his voice. Then he added, Your community rehabilitation work stood out. Danny shifted her bag higher on her shoulder. I just help where I can.
Miller studied her for a second, as if that answer interested him more than the essay had. Take any seat. Danny chose one near the center. Students filtered in around her. Madison arrived with two friends and took a seat toward the front.
Tyler was not enrolled in the seminar, but Danny saw him through the glass doors speaking with someone from athletics. He glanced in, saw her, smiled, then moved on. Danny opened her notebook. Professor Miller stepped to the center of the room. Today we're starting with something practical.
He tapped a remote. A slide appeared behind him. Blake Athletic Expansion Proposal Madison straightened almost imperceptibly. Professor Miller continued. Hawthorne is considering a major expansion to elite athletic recovery services.
New hydrotherapy suites. Private performance rooms. Advanced motion analysis. Several students murmured approval. The proposed funding package is substantial, Miller said.
So are the trade-offs. The next slide appeared. Community rehabilitation access. Proposed reduction. Danny's pens stopped.
Miller looked around the room. If this passes, outreach hours for uninsured and low-income adult patients would be reduced to help support the new program. A student in the front row raised his hand. But if the expansion attracts more donors, couldn't that eventually benefit everyone? Possibly, Miller said.
But eventually is not the same as now. Madison raised her hand. Professor Miller nodded. My family's proposal is being misunderstood. Her voice carried easily.
This isn't about taking something away. It's about making Hawthorne competitive nationally. Better facilities mean stronger recruiting, stronger research, and more visibility. A few students nodded. Madison continued.
You can't help anyone if the institution falls behind. Professor Miller looked around. Who disagrees? No hands went up at first. Danny looked at the slide again.
She thought about Walter's brace. His careful steps. The way he had joked about payment because joking was easier than admitting he couldn't afford private therapy. She raised her hand. Miller nodded.
Ms. Carter. Danny didn't stand immediately. She glanced once toward Madison. Then she rose. I understand the argument about growth.
Her voice was calm. But if the people with the least money lose access first, who exactly is this facility being built to serve? The room went still. Madison's expression changed. Just slightly.