The R Word

More Than One Victim

Sara was depressed when Rodney hadn't returned until 7:00 at night. For one thing, Steve's bullying does not last that long. And the fact that they had a study buddy session even made it worse. Sara barely had anyone to help, so eventually Madam Thompson, being the generous woman she is, helped her.

"Now, fractions are as simple as counting!" Madam Thompson giggled and helped her, while passing Sara a sandwich.

Counting wasn't very simple either, so how was she going to do this?! Rodney was better at this, but then again, the mistress didn't have the best education, but she certaintly didn't face what Sara had to.

They decided to take a break and gossip. They were very good friends, so they could tell eachother anything. They talked about hair, and all that girly stuff, and then they got down to Rodney.

"Rodney is being bullied as we speak." Sara tried to fight back some tears as she said this, and Madam gave her a tissue.

"Are you sure?" She listened.

"Yes. He told him to meet him in the locker room, but he hesitantly said that. And Rodney is not intimidating. I think he was planning to kill somebody for the first time."

"Sara, a locker room does not sound like a bullying spot." She replied, understanding a situation even Sara did not know.

"But-"

"Has it occurred to you that he may not be bullying?" She interrupted.

Steve never really said much about bullying Rodney, and that was the part he was being hesitant about.

"But if he isn't bullying, than what is he doing?" Sara asked confusingly.

Sara was lost. Jocks never hang out with lower class men, but maybe Steve actually was the nice guy. That seemed a little bit unlikely, because Steve has always been mean to the two before...well, me. But I'm sure there's a reason.

Madam Thompson closed her eyes, and did not say a single word. She breathed once, and whispered, "I'm.....not sure."

The mistress knew what was going on, but a best friend should always tell a best friend everything. Saying something would make her be their little mail-woman.  every day. To keep their friendship alive, she had to lie to the poor girl. Madam did feel sorry for Sara, as there were things that she would not understand, and Rodney telling in his soft voice would explain nicely. Rodney has came over before, and he would always say hello to her, so of course she knew that his voice was perfect for Sara to understand.

Sara paused a minute also, and then agreed. Rodney was an awkward subject to discuss.

"Wait!" Sara rushed out of her room, and called Rodney, but received the same message:

"Hey, this is Rodney. If you need something, just leave me a message after the beep."

Sara didn't care what the message said, she called him and called him, until finally he answered.

"Sara! Why'd you call?"

"I was making sure you were okay. Are you?"

"Yes.." He sounded shaky.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm..just fine." Sara could hear his smaller weeps over the line.

Sara was about to say "Tell me what's wrong." but he hung up after his 5th weep.

She decided not to call him, and let  him have alone time because obviously there were troubles with his life and Sara forcing it onto him would not help eachother. Sara went back to Madam Thompson.

"He was crying."

"Maybe he was bullied." She lied again.

"Yeah, but it's terrible that I haven't comforted him."

"Trust me, he has enough comfort."