The Other One

It's frightening to think that you mark your children merely by being yourself. It seems unfair. You can't assume the responsibility for everything you do -- or don't do.
-- Simone De Beauvoir

Thursday, January 10, 2002
One year ago: Loveseat Recliner
Two years ago: List Items
Three years ago: The Thin Red Line

I spent a quiet day today, looking at various webcam software programs. I'd like one that automatically creates a thumbnail and a larger version. A small archiving feature would be nice, with incrementing file names. Webcam32 does most of what I want, I think. Now I need to send off the check.

Jack was concerned when his daughter H----- was a bit late coming home from her afterschool job (she helps tutor a younger child with reading two days a week). But she really always comes home at five thirty or so on the days she works.

But it got later, and later. No call from her. We really need contact info for her friend G-----, and any other friends she might be visiting. Jack was seriously (and understandably) upset! At nine o'clock he called the police, and they sent a community service officer, a very well-trained, calm woman, out to take the report.

Even though we didn't have G----'s phone number, Jack did know where her house was; we've given her rides home from time to time. So he planned to go speak to them around ten thirty, when he knew G----'s dad would be home. (We listened to G------ talk about problems with her stepmother last night at dinner.)

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H---- was there, with G----. Thank heaven! I was so concerned about her not calling (very uncharacteristic) that I did wonder if she was in a situation where she couldn't call. Jack came back with her, speaking very loudly. She went directly down to her room (it was about eleven fifteen by then); Jack blew off steam for a few minutes in the living room with me.

Even when he went down to her room to sort this out, I could hear most of what he was saying and a good portion of what she said. The trend was for the tone to get quieter, though, which was a good thing. He just knew that there was something up besides the "You're so mean to me" complaint, so he asked her over and over what it was.

She finally cracked -- there's a student at school who has been harrassing her.

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Jack will go with her to school tomorrow morning and talk with the administration. What can be done about this? A lot, I hope! Surely it's not the first time they've had to deal with guys intimidating younger girls sexually.