Fuzzy Mud

Mrs. Latherly, the part-time school nurse, cleans Tamaya’s hand and applies Hydrocortisone cream, assuring Tamaya that it will stop her rash. Tamaya wishes she were in class to see Ms. Filbert follow the students’ balloon instructions. Tamaya always misses out on fun events, even with her friends, because of her monthly visits to her father. Her dog, Cooper, is what she enjoys most about those visits. Handsome assistant headmaster, Mr. Franks, is glad she isn’t sick and won’t ruin her perfect attendance record.

Mrs. Latherly questions Tamaya about the rash, wondering if she’s allergic to peanuts or her dog—or if she touched a detergent. Tamaya feels foolish explaining she hasn’t been around Cooper for a while. Having her parents divorced makes her feel like she is living “two half lives” (77). Tamaya doesn’t want Marshall to get in trouble, but she tells Mrs. Latherly about the mud and the tingly feeling in her hand. Mrs. Latherly is uninterested. Tamaya privately thinks the odd, warm-feeling mud may be the cause. Mrs. Latherly plans to call Tamaya’s mother for permission to give Tamaya an allergy pill. Products of the equations double from 2,048 to 4,096.