Picture us in the light

It was March of last year, March seventh, that Sandra died. We found out in first period. It was a Wednesday, so it was a block day, and I was in AP English. When we came in and sat down we could tell Ms. Lee had been crying. When the bell rang she sat on the edge of her desk, a piece of paper in her hand, and said, “I want you to know that I love every one of you.” Then she read the letter from the principal: “Dear Monta Vista community, it’s with deep sadness that I have to inform you that junior Sandra Chang died yesterday by suicide. Counselors are available to help you process the news. Please notify a staff member immediately if you are having difficulty coping or if you believe you might harm yourself.” That was the whole letter, and when she finished it broke open a wall of silence that froze us in place.
Regina was whisked away by one of the counselors and we didn’t see her the entire day. After school we all ended up at Harry’s/ Both his parents were gone on business, his mom in Taiwan and his dad in Singapore, and a steady stream of people trickled into his front room.