Today, a kid in American Lit approached me after class.

"I need help on that speech thing," he said. His speech was due sometime last week, and tomorrow's the last day for make-ups.

"What do you mean?" I said.

"Well, I haven't really read the book, and you said something about deep thoughts."

"So," I said, "you want me to tell you what I think about the book you haven't read so you can repeat that stuff in your speech?"

"I read like two chapters," he continued.

"I'm not really sure how to help you," I told him. "I think you should pick a chapter you actually read and think of something to say about it. Follow the outline I gave you."

He seemed disappointed. It really seemed like he thought this conversation might turn out differently.

I think there are 24 days left of school.