Ms. T nodded back. "Well," she said, "these are all very interesting comments. . . And they're all wrong."

Billy had his hand up again.

"There are a lot of myths about cancer," Ms. T continued, "so maybe we should clear up some misunderstanding before we go any further."

Billy was still waving away.

"Okay, Mr. Vecoli, what?"

This time Billy had something important to say--or at least it was what was running through most of our minds. "Ms. T, there's one thing I don't get. Why do we need to discuss cancer at all? I mean, what does it have to do with any of us?"

That's when Rochelle lost it for good. "Vecoli, you're a total jerk!"