How to Stop Time

Tom sits at a table in the sports hall at school for parents’ night. He comes back to the present, leaving thoughts of Rose and her last words about “a darkness that fringes everything” behind (227). He is speaking with Anton’s mother, Claire. She thanks him for engaging Anton in schoolwork. She shares that Anton says Tom makes history come alive. Claire had been worried about Anton drifting away and hanging out with the bad kids. Now he is back on track and eager to go to college someday. Tom feels proud. He looks across the room at Camille. She doesn’t look well. Tom watches as she falls to the floor, legs spasming. He instantly reacts, reaching her side as Daphne runs over. Daphne asks another staff member to call an ambulance. Tom holds Camille steady. She stops convulsing and regains consciousness. She focuses on Tom’s face. Tom tells Camille she had a seizure. Camille is dazed and doesn’t remember where she is. They explain that she is at school and that an ambulance is coming. Camille looks at Tom again and says, “I do know you” (230). Tom smiles, confirming that he is the new history teacher and that they work together.