White Bird by R. J. Palacio

Author:R. J. Palacio [Palacio, R. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2023-02-07T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

“I think Pastor Luc should have kicked Vincent out of school,” I told Vivienne. It was the following day, and we were sitting together, my head on her shoulder and her comforting arm around my back. I was still shaken by the events of the previous night, and she knew it. She patted my hands and spoke softly into my hair, like Maman did when I was little.

“Between you and me, I agree,” she confided. “And in normal times, that’s what might have happened. But you know, maybe it’s better this way? Once Pastor Luc tells Vincent’s father that any further problems will be grounds for expulsion, the threat will keep Vincent in check. And Pastor Luc will be able to keep a close eye on him.”

“He shouldn’t just be scolded and watched. He should be punished!” I insisted. “What about going to the police? Surely it’s still a crime to attack someone for no reason!”

Vivienne looked demoralized. “You’re right, Sara, of course,” she replied. “But Jean-Paul and I discussed this last night, and ultimately we decided it was too risky to report it to the police. That’s why we went to see Pastor Luc this morning instead.”

“And after he heard what happened, Pastor Luc didn’t think you should go to the police?”

“Actually, he did,” admitted Vivienne.

“You see? It’s the right thing to do!”

Vivienne shook her head. “I’m sorry, Sara, but we just can’t. Vincent’s father is connected to the Nazis, so the risk of retaliation is simply too great.”

“Oh,” I said. I knew there were rumors about Vincent and his family’s affiliations, and hearing them confirmed triggered a fresh wave of guilt. Not only had my presence resulted in Julien getting attacked and nearly killed, but I was the reason this crime couldn’t even be reported.

“Even though he didn’t automatically expel Vincent, Pastor Luc took the situation very seriously,” Vivienne added. “He was clearly horrified by what Jean-Paul and I told him. He even went so far as to apologize, as if he were responsible in some way—which is simply not the case. I think that as a man of faith, he finds it difficult to reconcile what is going on around us with his belief in a just and compassionate God.”

I nodded silently.

“Pastor Luc seems to believe that before things get worse, God will come to his senses and intervene,” continued Vivienne. “I told him, with all due respect, we cannot wait for miracles. Evil will only be stopped when good people decide to put an end to it. It is our fight, not God’s.”

“You said that?” I asked, surprised. Vivienne was so cheerful and kind, I didn’t realize she was capable of saying something so confrontational. Especially to a man of God.

Vivienne gave me a small smile. “Someone needed to. Although you shouldn’t think of me as too much of a radical. Pastor Luc might have been shocked by my candor, but he would never report me to anyone.”

“That’s good,” I said. It was horrible living in a world where so few people could be trusted.

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