The Devine Doughnut Shop(57)

“She was afraid if she reported the abuse and harassment that it would get worse,” Grace said and nodded toward Kenneth and Walter, the two fathers. “Your daughters tell around school that since you are on the school board, they can do anything they want and get away with it—up to and including not doing their homework. Raelene was afraid if she took up for herself, she would lose her scholarship for college.”

“You’ve said what?” Walter demanded of his daughter, Kelsey.

Before she could answer, Grace asked her daughter, “What happened, Audrey?”

“Crystal and Kelsey came into the library, where we were working on my algebra. I had just finished the assignment, and now I’ll have to do it all over again,” Audrey said.

“Kelsey grabbed the papers and tore them up, then Crystal threw our lunch on the floor and stomped on it,” Raelene added.

Audrey raised her hand. “I’ll admit I threw the first punch, because when they do that to Raelene, the librarian makes her scrub it all up, and that’s not fair.”

“In her defense, she doesn’t see what they do because they are so sneaky,” Raelene said and pointed at Kelsey. “After they destroyed Audrey’s lesson, Kelsey whipped out a pocketknife and began slashing at us.” Raelene held up her arm. “I got away, but they grabbed Audrey. Crystal held her arms from behind.”

“Kelsey said that she would cut up my face so bad that no one would ever want to be my friend, not even Raelene,” Audrey said. “And she would have, but Raelene jumped on her back, and she dropped the knife. Then the librarian came, and here we are.”

“Is there any truth in this?” Crystal’s father had a horrified expression on his face.

“Of course not,” his wife answered. “Crystal is a good girl, and these two are lying riffraff. Look at her face. Not even makeup is going to cover that.”

Kenneth glared at his wife. “She’s a spoiled-rotten brat, and you’ve made her that way!”

Good for you, Grace thought.

“Before we move on, maybe you should all just watch this.” The principal turned his computer monitor around to face them and hit a button. “We have cameras all over the school. This one is from the library at noon today, and we can verify Raelene’s accusations about harassment. Audrey and Raelene are telling the truth about what happened.”

Grace set her jaw, clenched her teeth, and sent a look meant to fry Lisa and Carlita where they stood. Those two women should be punished as much as—or more than—their daughters.

Crystal pouted. “We were just taking up for ourselves. Audrey started it when she—”

“When she what?” Kenneth asked.

“When she left us to be friends with that.” Crystal pointed at Raelene. “She’s trashy and . . .”

“Everyone is laughing at us because we got thrown over for her.” Kelsey’s tone was as cold as her eyes were hot when she shot a dirty look toward Raelene.

“That’s enough,” Kenneth said and turned to the principal. “What’s the punishment for this?”

“They will all be put on distance learning for ten days while the parents file a form. Since Raelene’s parent is out of town, I suppose—”

“Raelene is already eighteen and can take care of legal matters on her own, but I’ll support her in this. She lives with us and is part of our family now. Just give us the forms and let me take these girls to the hospital to see if they need stitches,” Grace said through gritted teeth. The other shoe that had dropped that morning wasn’t the size of a flip-flop; it was more like a combat boot filled with concrete.

“Following the investigation, we will decide if the four of them can come back to school this year—all but Kelsey. She will be on distance learning until next fall for bringing a weapon to school,” the principal said. “Neither of the girls who were bullying Raelene or who were intent on cutting Audrey will be allowed to attend any school functions.”

Gold bracelets sounded like wind chimes when Carlita popped her hands on her hips. “Kelsey won’t ever come back to this school. I’ll be putting her in a private school after this, so I don’t even need those forms.”

“Oh, yes we will!” Kelsey’s father disagreed loudly. “You have let our daughter run wild far too long. This time, she is going to be held accountable for what she’s done. I apologize to you girls—and to Grace—for this.”

“Noooo!” Crystal moaned. “That means we can’t go to the prom, and we’ve both got dates already.”

Kelsey turned around and pointed her finger at her father. “I will run away if you—”

Walter gave her a look that caused her to drop her hand. “Today, I’m confiscating your bullying costume, girl, and I’m resigning from the school board. I’m ashamed that you have been using my position to try to get your way. This is inexcusable.”

The principal raised up to his full height—which had to be every bit of six feet, four inches—and clapped his hands. “That’s enough out of all of you. Miz Dalton, you can take Audrey and Raelene to the hospital now. I’m sorry that Raelene has been the subject of harassment, and I hate to send her and Audrey home for fighting. Even if the decision is made to put all four of them on distance learning until next fall, she can come back and graduate, and even deliver the valedictory speech. You can pick up the forms on your way out.”