Manny, who was the opposite of Billy when it came to classroom contributions, shot straight up in his chair.

"Um," he croaked.

"Yes?' Ms. Toland prompted.

"It's smart to stay clear of it."

"What do you mean?"

"You know, like the flu. If you're not careful, you can catch it."

"That's not right!"

Everybody turned around to look at Veronique, who was waving wildly from the back of the room.

"Doesn't it have something to do with your mother and father?" she said.

"In what way?"

"Whether your mother or father had it. Or your grandmother or grandfather. You don't catch it," she arched an eyebrow in Manny's direction, "you inherit it."

Before anyone could say anything else, somebody's watch alarm went off.