By the time they broke for a short break, he felt much more relaxed. The small windows set into the cinder block framed distant craggy peaks that towered over the valley. Sparkle and the others were out there somewhere, keeping watch over them all. At least for today.
In the afternoon session, he joined a primary class in their reading circle. When Josh was invited to sit in the circle, one little girl around six years old came over and climbed into his lap. The trusting gesture completely melted him. When the student beside him took his turn reading aloud from the book, Josh leaned over to look at the foreign script on the page. Noticing his interest, the boy paused and placed his finger on a certain word. He said it aloud, watching Josh closely.
Knowing he was being tested, Josh did hi
