Catching Fireflies(68)

“I told you it was going to get worse,” Misty said in a small voice. She whirled on J.C. “You should have just given me a note to get out of school.”

J.C. gave her a sympathetic look. “We’ve established that I couldn’t do that. And, though it might not seem like it right this second, this situation is going to get a whole lot better. I imagine by Christmas break, you’ll have forgotten all about this.”

Misty gave him a disbelieving look. “Are you kidding? By Christmas I probably won’t be able to show my face here at all, note or no note.”

J.C. winced under her scathing scowl. “I’m sorry. You’re right. Making things better will take time, but maybe it will help a little if you just remember how many people are on your side. Everyone in this room is here to help you get through this.”

“And Katie Townsend has been a rock for you through all of this, too,” Laura reminded her. “She won’t let you down. I’m sure you have lots of other friends you’ll be able to count on.”

“Who?” Misty retorted. “Katie’s the only one who hasn’t been scared off by Annabelle and her crowd.”

Betty regarded her sympathetically. “I know it must seem that way, Misty, but it’s only because none of us understood what was happening. Every teacher in this school will be on full alert from now on. If anyone tries to retaliate because of what’s likely to happen to Annabelle, they will be stopped. You’re going to be safe here.”

Laura could see that Misty was still skeptical. How could she not be? Up to now the system had failed her miserably. Even she, though she’d been more attuned to the problem than most, hadn’t put the pieces together for weeks.

“Misty, what can we do to reassure you?” she asked. “What would you like to see happen?”

“I want us to forget all about it,” she said miserably. “Please.”

Les Dawson clearly saw his child’s unhappiness, but he was already shaking his head. “Not a chance,” he muttered. “Helen, I want every action in the book taken in this, here at school, in the courts, whatever it takes. Nobody is tormenting my child and getting away with it.”

“Not even if it’s what I want?” Misty pleaded.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” he said, his tone gentle. “Not even then.”

J.C. stood up. “Maybe Misty and I could take a walk, while you all sort this out.” He glanced at her. “Would that be okay?”

Looking relieved to have an excuse to escape, she nodded at once. He glanced at her parents and both nodded, Diana’s expression full of relief.

“We’ll be back in a bit,” J.C. said, opening the door and showing Misty out.

Laura looked around and saw exhaustion on every face in the room. She figured her appearance was no less haggard.

“Whatever we decide,” she said, keeping her gaze on Betty, “we have to be sure that child is protected from more bullying. I think she’s had just about as much as she can handle.”

“Agreed,” Betty said at once.

“Should we take her out of school?” Diana asked hesitantly. “I know it sounds extreme, but maybe she’d be happier someplace else.”

Les shook his head. “Or maybe she’ll think she’s being punished, even though she’s not the one who’s done anything wrong.”

“But if she’d feel safe again,” Diana argued.

Hamilton Reynolds reached over and gave her arm a consoling pat. “I know your first instinct is to protect her, but I think Les could be right. Sending her to another school might send the wrong message to everyone. That said, though, maybe it should be Misty’s decision. And maybe we shouldn’t ask her until we’ve dealt with Annabelle and see how that’s played out.”

“I’m inclined to agree,” Helen said. “And I honestly don’t think we’ll have to wait long. I think we can handle this by the end of the day today, tomorrow at the latest. Betty, I’ll call you the minute I know for sure that we have indisputable proof that these posts were made by Annabelle.”

“I want to be here when you confront that girl and her parents,” Les insisted.

“Not a good idea,” Hamilton Reynolds said.

“I’ll be here,” Helen told Les. “Your interests and Misty’s will be protected. You’ll have your chance to face the Litchfields when we take legal action.”

Diana nodded. “Helen’s right. There’s nothing to be gained by causing a scene just because we’d like to tear the child’s hair out.”