The Year of Billy Miller
“Silver’s empty desk and presented their dioramas to the class.
When it was his turn, Billy shook his diorama to demonstrate how his bat could fly, and he described his habitat, explaining how he’d used glitter to look like mica. He didn’t mention Sal or fairies. He tried to remember Papa’s words. He said, “Mica sparkles like jewels. It is a mineral in caves. It’s like glitter.”
Billy had been looking down as he spoke, but when he had nothing else to say, he raised his eyes, connecting with Ms. Silver’s. She was in the far corner of the room sitting casually on the window ledge, holding a clipboard.
Ms. Silver nodded approval, and Billy felt proud. He also felt a surge of relief when he was done. Back with his tablemates, he sank into his chair, loose and slack as a rag doll.
“The glitter was a nice touch, Billy,” Ms. Silver said before she called Ned to take his turn.
Billy glowed.
“Was the big bat the Papa bat?” Emma whispered.
Billy pretended not to hear her. He wanted to be a bat.
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