"The Silent Cry"

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

I got this idea from Hailey.
(katr16@excite.com) We're both happy with it SO FAR, and I hope you'll stick with it to see how it'll turn out!

Blair: * at lunch, comes into the cafeteria * I just had another one of my brilliant ideas!
Tootie: What is it THIS time, Blair?
Blair: Well, you know how I’ve been filling out college applications?
Nat: How could we not know? You’ve been whining about it all week!
Blair: Exactly. Well, I found the perfect volunteer activity.
Nat: Really? What is it?
Blair: I’m going to be a mentor for an 8 year-old little girl named...*looks at paper * Chloe.
Tootie: Aww. That’s so cute!
Blair: And, it’s an activit I can put on my college application!
Mrs. G: Blair, this isn’t something you should take lightly. This could make a big difference in that little girl’s life.
Blair: I know, Mrs. Garrett. I’m just thinking about what’s in it for me.
Mrs. G: Oh, Blair. That little girl should come first. It doesn’t matter what you get out of this!
Blair: Maybe. Anyway, I meet her after school today. I’m suppose to help her with her homework. You know, so she gets comfortable with me, and we get to know each other a little bit.
Tootie: That’s so cute. Why don’t you bring her by here, Blair?
Blair: Maybe. I’ll have to see.
Nat: I’ll bet she’s adorable. Chloe sounds like such a cute name.
Mrs. G: Blair, just remember what I said. This is for her, not for you.
Blair: Okay, Mrs. Garrett.
*After school-Blair arrives at the office of the elementary school and talks to Ms. White-the secretary *
Blair: Excuse me, can you tell me where I need to go to find Chloe Parker?
Ms. White: Chloe Parker? *Blair nods * Oh, you must be Blair Warner! I’m sorry we couldn’t catch you sooner, but Chloe didn’t come to school today.
Blair: What?
Ms. White: Her dad called to say he was taking her to the hospital this morning.
Blair: Oh, no! Is she really sick?
Ms. White: He said she broke her arm.
Blair: That’s too bad. Do you know how it happened?
Ms. White: Sorry, no. But, Chloe made these for you, yesterday, and she wanted you to have them today. *hands Blair a thank you card-made by Chloe and a picture of a dog that Chloe drew *
Blair: *looking at them * Aww…that was sweet.
Ms. White: Yea, she’s a little sweetie.
Blair: Is there anyway I can get her address? You know, maybe I could go see her-cheer her up a little?
Ms. White: Well, I’m not really suppose to give this out, but, I know how much Chloe has been looking forward to this. So, *writes Chloe’s address on a sheet of paper * here.
Blair: Thank you. I have to be going now. Nice seeing you.
Ms. White: Yea, you too. Have a nice day.
~ Blair-arriving at a dirty house with broken shutters and a really trashy front porch with broken bottles laying around. Blair knocks. A girl in a worn out red gingham dress, with blonde hair, big blue eyes and pig tails like Cindy Brady’s-and a cast on her arm comes to the door ~
Chloe: *opens door * I’m Chloe, can I help you?
Blair: Hi, Chloe. I’m Blair. I’m your mentor from Eastland…
Chloe: Oh my goodness! I didn’t think I’d get to see you today! And I’ve been so excited! Come on in-my dad isn’t home and it gets lonely.
Blair: *comes in to a surprisingly clean house-not much furniture-not very decorative or homey, but, very clean * What about your mom?
Chloe: *looks down * She dies when I was 2.
Blair: I’m so sorry…*starts to walk toward Chloe, but Chloe moves away*
Chloe: It’s okay. Things happen. You want some tea? I’ll boil some water.
Blair: You make tea by yourself?
Chloe: I’m not a CHILD, Blair.
Blair: Yes, you are! You’re only 8.
Chloe: 8…18-what difference does it make? I do the laundry, the dishes, the housework and everything else around here anyway.
Blair: Why?
Chloe: Cause daddy won’t.
Blair: You shouldn’t have to…*silence for a few seconds * So, you got a pink cast, huh?
Chloe: *smiles * Pink’s my favorite color!
Blair: I like pink, too.
Chloe: Wow! That’s cool…So, did they send my homework with you?
Blair: No. I guess we’ll just have to do extra work tomorrow.
Chloe: guess so…Well, you should probably get going. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than talk to me. Besides, my dad will be home soon, and I didn’t ask to have a friend over, so, he might freak out. *gets up to open the door *
Blair: okay. We wouldn’t want your dad to freak out, I don’t want you to be in trouble.
Chloe: I’ll see you tomorrow, though.
Blair: Okay. *hugs Chloe and Chloe cringes * Oh, I’m sorry did I bump your arm?
Chloe: oh, it’s okay…g’head…I’ll see you tomorrow!
Blair: Okay, if you’re sure you’re alright.
Chloe: I’m fine.
Blair: Okay, see you tomorrow! *leaves *
~ cafeteria-everyone is setting up for dinner-Blair comes in ~
Mrs. G: Blair! How’d it go?
Jo: How’d what go?
Nat: Blair is mentoring a little girl named Chloe.
Jo: Wait…Blair Warner?
Tootie: Yes, Jo.
Jo: Hmm..what did she finally decide to do something about her college applications, or what?
Blair: *glares at Jo * Anyway, *turns to Mrs. Garrett * It was alright. Chloe wasn’t at school today because she broke her arm.
Mrs. G: Oh, I hope she’s okay.
Blair: She seemed fine when I went to see her.
Jo: Whoa! Blair went out of her way to check on someone and make sure they were okay?! Good thing I’m sittin’ down!
Blair: *ignores Jo * yea, I’m going to help her tomorrow with her homework.
Mrs. G: I’m proud of you, Blair. You really are doing this for Chloe.
Blair: Yea, I thought about what you said, and I decided that this girl needs me more than I need it to go on my college applications.
Jo: Be still, my heart! She does care!
Mrs. G: Jo…
Jo: Yea, yea…* goes into the kitchen *
Mrs. G: Don’t let her throw you, Blair. I’m sure you’ll do a terrific job!
Blair: Mrs. Garrett? Could you make some chocolate chip cookies for tomorrow, please?
Mrs. G: I guess so..do you want to take them to Chloe, or are you going to bring her here?
Blair: Maybe I’ll bring her here so you can all meet her. She’s the cutest little girl. Little blonde pigtails, lotsa freckles…
Mrs. G: She sounds adorable, Blair. We’re all looking forward to meeting her.
~ Next day-Mrs. G, Nat, Tootie and Jo in cafeteria-Nat, Tootie and Jo are sprawled out on chairs ~
Nat: Oh my gosh! It’s gotta be 90 degrees out there!
Tootie: At least!
Jo: Be quiet! You’re making the room hotter with all your chatting.
Mrs. G: I don’t understand it! It should be cold in February in New York!
Tootie: Yesterday, we had to wear coats, but today you can’t even go outside without frying!
~ Blair and Chloe come in- Chloe is wearing long pants and long sleeves-her hair is in a low ponytail, now-covering her neck ~
Blair: My goodness it’s extreme out there!
Jo: Here’s all the hot air…so much for relief!
Blair: Everyone, I’d like you to meet Chloe. *Blair puts her hands on Chloe’s shoulders and Chloe winces and pulls away-they all notice *
Mrs. G: What’s wrong, sweetie?
Chloe: Oh, nothing. It’s just that my shoulder’s bruised from sliding into home plate in P.E. It hurt, but, I scored a run! *smiles * *they all laugh *
Tootie: Hi, I’m tootie. *shakes her hand *
Chloe: Nice to meet you, *turns to Blair. * Her name sounds like an ice cream flavor! *Blair laughs *
Blair: Well, Tootie’s not her REAL name.
Chloe: Oh, they stuck you with a nickname, too?
Tootie: Yeup, what’s yours?
Chloe: Lizardbreath.
Tootie: Lizardbreath?
Chloe: Yea, my middle name is Elizabeth. Kids my age can be so immature.
Nat: Hi, I’m Natalie. Nice to meet you!
Chloe: *shakes her hand *Hi Natalie!
Blair: *points to Jo * That’s Jo. Don’t call her Joann!
Chloe: *thinkingthat ANN is Jo’s middle name walks over to Jo and shakes her hand * I don’t like it when my daddy calls me ‘Chloe Elizabeth,’ either! *everyone laughs *
Mrs. G: Hi, Chloe, I’m Mrs. Garrett. *Chloe gives her a hug-at first, Mrs. G is shocked and doesn’t know whether to hug her or not-for fear of hurting her, but she gently hugs her *
Chloe: Blair told me about you.
Mrs. G: Oh, really? What’d she say about me?
Chloe: That you’re the lady with the chocolate chip cookies! *giggles and everyone laughs *
Mrs. G: You want some?
Chloe: May I please?
Mrs. G: Of course! Come with me…
Chloe: *turns to Blair * you coming?
Blair: I’ll be in in a minute. You go ahead and get a start on those cookies.
Chloe: Okay, *takes Mrs. G’s hand and goes into the kitchen with her *
Nat: Blair, she’s adorable!
Tootie: she’s so cute. Come on, Nat. Let’s go have cookies. *they go in the kitchen *
Jo: Why is she wearing long pants and long sleeves? She must be roasting!
Blair: I asked her if she wanted me to take her home so she could change, but she got all defensive…
Jo: She must get hurt a lot. First, she breaks her arm, then she gets a bruise stealing home base!
Blair: She’s a little girl. She’s fragile.
Jo: So, did you meet her parents?
Blair: Oh…don’t mention parents around her. Her mom died when she was two. But, no, I haven’t met her dad.
Jo: Oh, poor thing. I hope Nat and Tootie don’t bring up her mom…
~ In the kitchen, Chloe’s eating cookies, and Nat, Tootie and Mrs. G are all near her talking to her ~
Nat: Geez! You eat like you’ve never had chocolate chip cookies before!
Chloe: I haven’t! Well, not home made ones…
Tootie: Doesn’t your mom ever make them?
Chloe: *stops eating and kinda looks down * my mom died when I was two…
Nat: Sorry.
Tootie: Oh my gosh. You were only two?
Chloe: Yea…
Tootie: I’m so sorry…you probably don’t want to talk about it.
Chloe: No, it’s okay. It happened when I was so little, I don’t remember much about it, but a lot of people ask me about it. My teachers have all wanted to send me to a psycha…a psycha…a shrink, but my dad won’t pay for it, and besides…I don’t need to. Daddy and I are doing just fine.
Mrs. G: *lightly hugs her *
Chloe: *throws her arms around Mrs. G *

[1strunfan]

Good job. Although I don't usually care for stories of this nature, you are doing a wonderful job.

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

1strunfan....sorry you don't like these kinds of stories... but I'm glad this one's okay so far! Here's more..

Mrs. G: You okay, Chloe?
Chloe: *still holding on to Mrs. G * yea…It’s just been a while since I’ve gotten a hug.
Mrs. G: Doesn’t your daddy hug you?
Chloe: Oh…um…yea. He’s just…been busy lately.
Mrs. G: *skeptically *Oh. Well, you can have all the hugs you want from me. I’m sure the girls feel the same way.
Tootie: yeup. Just let me know!
Nat: Same here.
~ Blair comes in ~
Blair: Well, it’s about time to get you back, Chloe.
Chloe: *sadly * okay…*hugs Nat, Tootie, then Mrs. G, but she won’t let go of Mrs. G *
Blair: Chloe, you want to come back tomorrow?
Chloe: *nods * but I thought tomorrow wasn’t a mentor day…
Blair: So what? You can come anyway.
Chloe: *smile * That’s great! *lets go of Mrs. G * See you tomorrow!
Mrs. G: I’ll save some cookies for tomorrow! *picks up some cookies and hands them to Chloe * But here. Take these home with you for tonight.
Chloe: Really?
Mrs. G: *chuckles * Yeup.
Chloe: Thank you! *hugs Mrs. G-then leaves with Blair *
Nat: I’m worried, Mrs. Garrett.
Tootie: Yea, that poor little girl!
Mrs. G: I’m worried, too, girls. But Blair knows that if there’s something going on, she needs to tell someone.
Tootie: Mrs. Garrett! There’s obviously something going on!
Nat: Yea, cause 8 yea-old little girls with nothing going on don’t act like that!
Mrs. G: Girls, we don’t know anything for sure until CHLOE tells someone.
Tootie: I wish we could do something…
Mrs. G: I know…I know. *puts an arm around each of the two girls *
~ Blair and Chloe-Chloe’s classroom the next day ~
Blair: *hands Chloe a package-wrapped with pink paper * I brought you something.
Chloe: *looks at it *
Blair: Don’t you want to open it?
Chloe: Oh…yea, sorry. I don’t get many presents. Especially wrapped in pink! I LOVE pink!
Blair: I know. Go ahead, open it!
Chloe: *slowly opens the package and finds a pencil-with pink fur around it and bright pink feather on top * Blair, I LOVE it! Thank you so much!
Blair: I’m glad you like it.
Chloe: Are you kidding? It’s terrific!
Blair: Great! So what do you say we go have some more of Mrs. Garrett’s cookies?
Chloe: YUM!
Blair: *chuckles * I’ll take that as a yes! Let’s go!
Chloe: Okay.
~ In the car on the way to Eastland ~
Chloe: Blair?
Blair: yea?
Chloe: I can tell you anything, right?
Blair: Absolutely.
Chloe: Can I ask you a question first?
Blair: Of course.
Chloe: Do you believe in God, like me?
Blair: *is shocked * umm…not really. How come?
Chloe: How come you don’t?
Blair: Well, that’s kind of a hard question to answer. Let me ask you…How come you DO believe in God?
Chloe: Cause he protects me.
Blair: Protects you from what?
Chloe: Daddy.
Blair: *is totally stunned * Why does God need to protect you from you daddy?
Chloe: Come on, Blair. I know you’re not stupid. Your friends know, I can tell. My bruises aren’t from P.E. They’re from daddy. *starts crying * Blair, it hurts when daddy hits me. Teach me how to not make him mad at me. Please. I do everything, but when I make a mistake, he punishes me for it. I deserve punishment, but it hurts so much. Everything I do is ALWAYS wrong! Show me how to do things right so he won’t be mad at me.
~ Blair parks the car at Eastland and unbuckles herself and Chloe, she picks Chloe up and sets Chloe on her lap so she can just hold her while she cries * Shh…We’ll figure this out, okay? Would it help if I talked to your daddy?
Chloe: Maybe.
Blair: Alright. How about this: We’ll go in and tell Mrs. Garrett where I’ll be, and I’ll go talk to your daddy tonight.
Chloe: Really?
Blair: Really.
~ Blair and Chloe back at Chloe’s house working on Chloe’s homework *
Blair: So what’s 3 time 9?
Chloe: *thinks * umm…27?
Blair: RIGHT! Very good! Is that all of it? *Chloe nods * Okay…How about…I make dinner tonight?
Chloe: Blair, you’re doing so much already. Besides, you’re a guest! You shouldn’t cook when you’re a guest at someone’s house!
David: (Chloe’s dad) *enters smelling of alcohol and sounds mad * Chloe…
Chloe: hi, daddy! I’m just about to start dinner. *points to Blair * This is Blair. She’s the mentor they assigned me at school.

[JDS84]

Keep up the good work

[Jo/Blair_fan]

U GREAT!!!

[Shelley]

Great.

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

David: *turns to Blair * What are you doing HERE?
Chloe: She was helping me…with my homework, daddy.
David: Chloe…kitchen…NOW.
Chloe: Yes, daddy. *They go into the kitchen but we, and Blair can hear them *
David: I told you never to invite people over here. * Yells * I want dinner on the table when I get home! *he grabs the knife that chloe was using to cut vegtables and pricks his daughter with the tip to remind her he's in charge* *soon Chloe comes to the living room to Blair, crying a little, with the cut showing on her arm. *
Chloe: *pulls her sleeve down * Please talk to him, Blair. Please.
Blair: I’ll do what I can.
Chloe: Thank you…*goes back into the kitchen as Daivd enters the Living Room *
David: So, when are you leaving?
Blair: Well, I …um…
David: Well, spit it out.
Blair: *a little angry * when are YOU going to stop hurting your daughter?
David: *walks closer to Blair *How dare you! You have no right to try to tell me how to raise my daughter! *slaps Blair across the face and Blair stumbles toward the door * Get out of my house! *hits her more, on the back, and on her arms *
Blair: *still shocked-doesn’t turn her back to him until she gets to her car-then she drives around until about midnight, waiting until the girls were asleep and-breaking curfew. She parks, grabs a scarf to cover the bruise on her face, puts her coat on to cover the bruises on her arms and goes inside *
Mrs. G: Blair! Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick! You always make curfew.
Blair: I…uh…lost track of time, I guess.
Mrs. G: What’s going on with you?
Blair: Nothing…why would something be going on?
Mrs. G: I don’t know. But ever since Chloe you…Oh my God…did something happen to Chloe?
Blair: Relax. She’s fine. I just…needed to think…I’m sorry, Mrs. Garrett. It won’t happen again. I promise.
Mrs. G: Blair, you know you can talk to me, right?
Blair: Of course, Mrs. Garrett! *hugs Mrs. G * and thank you for that.
Mrs. G: Blair, are you okay?
Blair: I’m terrific! But, exhausted…I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Mrs. Garrett. *turns to go upstairs *
Mrs. G: Blair, *Blair turns around * Can we talk tomorrow?
Blair: Umm…sure, Mrs. Garrett. *goes upstairs-Mrs. G follows *
~ Hallway outside the girls’ room *
Jo: Blair, you’re finally home.
Blair: Jo, not now. I’m tired.
Jo: Blair, why haven’t you taken your scarf off, yet?!
Blair: Umm…didn’t think about it, I guess.
Jo: Right…okay…
Mrs. G: *walks up behind Jo * Girls…go to bed. It’s been a long day. *hugs Jo, then hugs Blair and Blair cringes-which Jo sees and is instantly alarmed *
Jo: Umm..okay. g’night Mrs. G.
Blair: Good night, Mrs. Garrett. *Mrs. G goes to her room *
Jo: Blair, did he hit you, too?
Blair: Well, it’s good to know you’re feeling normal, Jo. As usual you’re not making any sense.
Jo: Come on, Warner. I saw that. It hurt when Mrs. G hugged you just now…befroe you left to go to Chloe’s it was fine. What happened?
Blair: nothing!
Jo: Blair!
Blair: Fine…We were on our way to Chloe’s when she told me that her dad hurts her…I asked her if she wanted me to talk to her dad…
Jo: And what exactly were you gonna say? Don’t hit little girls?
Blair: I didn’t know WHAT to say! When he got home, though, he was drunk. He…got mad at Chloe for not having dinner ready and he went to talk to her in the kitchen. Then, Chloe came out into the living room, and there was a new bruise on her arm…I didn’t know WHAT to do, but Chloe begged me to talk to him. He asked me when I was going to leave, and I asked him when he was going to stop hitting his daughter. That’s when he did this *takes off her scarf * and this…*take off her coat and shows Jo the bruises on her arms * He hit my back, too, but, I haven’t exactly seen that, yet.
Jo: *staring at Blair’s arms * We have to tell Mrs. Garrett.
Blair: No!
Jo: What? Why? She’ll know what to do.
Blair: Chloe doesn’t want to be taken away from her dad.
Jo: But that’s the best thing for her!
Blair: Why? Because her dad has some faults? So does mine, so does yours! He’s only human, you know!
Jo: That doesn’t give him the right to beat up his own daughter!
Blair: Jo, just please, don’t tell Mrs. Garrett.
Jo: Whatever. Listen, I gotta go to the bathroom. Go to bed before Mrs. G hears us.
Blair: thanks, Jo *goes into the bedroom *
Jo: No problem, Blair. *heads toward Mrs. G’s room *
~ Jo outside Mrs. G’s door-she knocks *
Mrs. G: Come in…
Jo: *comes in * Mrs. Garrett, I need to talk to you…NOW.
Mrs. G: *sitting on the bed, motions for Jo to come sit * What is it, Jo?
Jo: It’s Blair. *sits down *
Mrs. G: Thank goodness you talked to her. What’d you find out? I couldn’t get a thing out of her!
Jo: Chloe’s dad hit her.
Mrs. G: He WHAT? Is she alright?
Jo: She has bruises EVERYWHERE.
Mrs. G: How? What happened?
Jo: I told you. He hit her. I guess, Chloe told Blair that her dad hit her and instead of getting help Blair thought she could handle it herself. He got mad and went after her.
Mrs. G: Why didn’t she tell me?
Jo: Chloe loves her dad, and she wants to stay with him… So Blair didn’t want ME to tell you either.
Mrs. G: Yea, but if it’s doing more harm than good, she shouldn’t be with him. Besdies, now this goes beyond Chloe. He hit Blair. NO ONE hits one of you girls and gets away with it. I’m talking to Blair in the morning and calling DCFS.
Jo: No! Mrs. G, you have to do all that tonight!
Mrs. G: Jo, no one’s going to be at work at DCFS right now. We’ll take care of it FIRST thing in the morning.

[1strunfan]

You really are doing a wonderful job with this fanfic. It's a difficult subject, and you are handling it well.

[JDS84]

Awesome.

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

~ Next morning ~
Mrs. G: *comes into the girls’ room-Blair isn’t in there * Girls, we need to get breakfast started…come on. Where’s Blair?
Tootie: Do we have to get up?
Nat: 5 more minutes!
Jo: *starts to get up * Blair must be in the bathroom or something.
Mrs. G: I’ll go get her…girls, get up! *flips the light on-Nat and Tootie groan * Now! *she goes to the bathroom to see if Blair’s there * Blair? Are you in there?
Blair: Just a minute.
Mrs. G: Blair, I need to talk to you about last night…
Blair: Jo told you, didn’t she?
Mrs. G: Yes, and I want to know exactly what happened.
Blair: *opens the door-Mrs. G gasps when she sees Blair and Blair motions for her to come inside the bathroom, so she does *
Mrs. G: Blair…your face.
Blair: *pulls up her sleeves to reveal more bruises *
Mrs. G: *slightly gasps-growing angry * Blair, what happened?
Blair: Well, I made a mistake…
Mrs. G: Which was?
Blair: When Chloe told me that her father hit her, I should’ve told you instead of trying to handle it myself.
Mrs. G: You got that right. What made you think you could handle it, Blair?
Blair: I don’t know!
Mrs. G: *hugs Blair gently * Oh, Blair, I’m so glad you’re okay. But, now we have to take care of what’s best for Chloe.
Blair: You mean taking her away from her dad?
Mrs. G: *softly * Yes.
Blair: Why?
Mrs. G: Blair, do you want Chloe to keep getting hit by her father?
Blair: No…but why does that mean she has to be taken away from him? She loves him.
Mrs. G: I know. But, Blair, she’s just a little girl! She can’t handle all the emotions and everything you have to deal with when you’re abused.
Blair: *a tear falls down her check * Great. I have all these bruises and I’m STILL not doing Chloe any good.
Mrs. G: *hugs her gently * No, Blair. It’s just the opposite. You could be saving her life.
Blair: *stands in silence for a while * Okay…Let’s go report it.

Sorry it's short...I didn't have as much time today...teachers have this crazy idea that they have to assign homework... anyway...I'm leaving for the long weekend tomorrow...so, no more until AT LEAST Monday, maybe Tuesday...Hope y'all can survive that long.

[Rebel Queen 1980]

This is great!,can't wait for more!

[JDS84]

Can't wait to read more. Its great.

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

~ Half hour later-The girls are serving breakfast-Mrs. Hodges-A DCFS worker enters ~
Mrs. Hodges: Excuse me, I’m looking for Blair Warner.
Blair: That’s me! You must be Mrs. Hodges. *she nods * Well, we can talk in the lounge. *they go into the lounge *
Mrs. Hodges: Okay, I understand you’re reporting the abuse of…Chloe Parker?
Blair: Yes.
Mrs. Hodges: How exactly do you know her?
Blair: Well, umm…you could call us friends. I mentor her.
Mrs. Hodges: Ahh…I see. How did you learn about this abuse, Miss Warner?
Blair: She told me…and she has all these bruises…I tried to talk to her dad about it, and he hit me.
Mrs. Hodges: When was this?
Blair: Last night.
Mrs. Hodges: So are there any bruises besides the one across your face?
Blair: *rolls up her sleeves * These. *turns around and pulls the back of her shirt up a little * and these...
Mrs. Hodges: Okay. *writes stuff down *
Blair: Okay? That’s all you’re going to say?
Mrs. Hodges: Well, I have your testimony, you have bruises to prove how volatile he is, but, I don’t know where she is to ask her, and to check out her bruises.
Blair: Can’t you go to her school, or her house or something.
Mrs. Hodges: yes. I think I have enough evidence…although, no one was with you except Chloe when it happened. It’s your word against her father’s. Because even though you have the bruises to prove you were hit, who’s to say it wasn’t someone else?
Blair: But…
Mrs. Hodges: Today, I will see if she’s at school. If she’s not, I’ll let you know and I’ll go over to her house. If she is, I’ll wait until after school and take a drive over to her house to check things out.
Blair: That’s all you can do?
Mrs. Hodges: Until I see proof on Chloe…yes. I’m sorry, but that the way the system works.
Blair: You need a better system.

[Rebel Queen 1980]

Sad story!,I think I need a tissue!
Runs and grabs blox of Kleenex

[1strunfan]

Sniff, Sniff. Need I say more?