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hands,” Halloran says. “How many of you had at least one ancestor come to this country to avoid fighting in a war?”
    I raise my hand along with a few other kids.
    â€œHow many of your parents said they didn’t know why their ancestors came to this country?”
    Lots of kids raise their hands. Thanks to Drew, I don’t have to.
    Halloran leans on his podium. “Sometimes the reasons people came to America were not the most noble: to escape debts, to avoid prosecution, to skip responsibility after getting someone pregnant. There can be all kinds of reasons. Some of you might want to investigate further. Why your ancestors came to this country is important. It helps connect you with who you are.” Halloran turns back to the board. “Okay, what’s another reason people came to America?”
    The new girl raises her hand. “Love,” she says.
    Halloran writes “love” on the board. “Can you give us an example, Lucia?”
    â€œMy grandfather was an American soldier in Germany. He went to Italy to see frescoes in Ravenna and met my grandmother. They fell in love, got married, and she moved to America with him.”
    â€œYes, people do all kinds of things for love,” Halloran says. Some of the girls smile. “What’s another reason?”
    â€œBecause they were starving,” I blurt out.
    Halloran writes “starvation” on the board. “Where was it, Miles?”
    â€œIreland, during the famine. My dad says there was food, but the British took it.”
    â€œHe’s right. The famine was caused by more than the potato blight. Millions of Americans, including me, are descendants of Irish who came to this country so they’d have enough to eat.”
    The room is quiet as we listen to Halloran. He’s the only teacher I have who links the past with the present. Right now, desperate people in Ireland, lovers in Italy, and draft dodgers in Germany feel like they’re here with us.
    â€œRemember this, the next time somebody complains about immigrants from Mexico, Africa, or Asia,” Halloran says. “Remember, the reasons these immigrants are coming are the same ones your ancestors had.”
    Halloran turns and points to the board. “There’s one group who didn’t come to America for any of these reasons. For Friday, write down who that was and why none of these reasons apply.”
    At practice, Coach Sepolski follows the usual routine, but everybody’s thinking about Jonesy. Fox struggles to run first offense. He fumbles snaps. He misreads keys. He misses wide-open receivers. But worst of all, he’s got no zip on his passes. The ball floats like a dead duck.
    When we split up by position, Coach Stahl pulls a few guys, including Zach, to try out for quarterback. He doesn’t ask me, even though I’ve got a decent arm. I’d like to be asked, but I wouldn’t want to switch. I love defense. I love being the hitter, rather than the hittee.
    Afterward, I ask Zach about the tryout. “How’d it go?”
    â€œNot great,” he says. “Stillwell looked good, though.”
    Stillwell’s the starting fullback. He’s got a strong arm. There’s no way he’s Jonesy, and we’d need a new fullback, but that might work.
    â€œBesides,” Zach says, “I told Coach I need to stay on defense to look after you.”
    Zach and I swing by Jonesy’s on the way home. Jonesy’s got his arm in a sling and is watching beach volleyball on TV. Football magazines cover the floor. “We brought you something, Star.” I pull out a box of Twinkies.
    â€œThanks.” Jonesy keeps his eyes on the screen. Normally, he loves junk food.
    â€œI’d like to play with her.” Zach points to a blonde spiking the ball.
    â€œDream on,” Jonesy says.
    â€œWe miss you bad, Star,” I say. “Fox was terrible.” I don’t know if this helps,