The Power of Testimony

36 || ALL BUT NORMAL
the principal, who concluded that because Bev could no longer
navigate the hallways and stairways fast enough to make
classes on time, it was impossible for her to function as a
student anymore.
“We think this is probably the end,” Russell said. “We’ll
have to do something else.”
The four of them took the decision in somberly, minds
full of unspoken questions about the future. So Bev’s academic
career ended. The straight-​ A student became, by force
of circumstance and lack of viable options, a high school
dropout.
• • •
Life went on around her. Bev sat at home and read for hours, a
pleasure still available to her. Her sisters played volleyball and
roller-​skated in the skates Bev had won them. Betty cooked and
managed the house; Russell drove the truck; April got bigger;
Chuck and Sue got serious and married that fall. Perplexed by
Bev’s condition, everyone quietly hoped she would get better
over time. Doctors told them—​more hope than prognosis—​
that she would improve. After all, there were no obvious injuries,
no broken bones, not even a notable scratch or bruise left.
But Bev was a different person, and everybody knew it.
Meanwhile, John’s stint at the mortuary wasn’t going
well. Maybe it was the monotony, maybe the dead people.
He just knew he wanted to go in a different direction.
Serving in the US Army for four years seemed to offer productive
work and extra time to plan his life. He told Bev
of his decision, and though they were still only shallowly