Later, Brielle and the children visited Popeye.

“Well, hey there! Long time, no see! Come on in!” Popeye greeted excitedly as he let Brielle, and the three girls inside, “It’s not every day I get visitors.”

“Oh, well, maybe we need to come visit more often, Popeye,” Jane told him.

“Have a seat while I go into the kitchen. I’ll be right back,” Popeye said kindly.

Brielle sat down on Popeye’s sofa, holding Kennedy in her lap. Jane and Olivia sat on the loveseat across from their mother.

Minutes later, Popeye returned with a tray upon which sat a full pitcher of iced tea and five glasses filled with ice cubes. He sat the tray down on the coffee table and filled each glass with tea before handing it to each of his guests.

“Thanks, Popeye,” Olivia said before sipping her glass.

“This is really good tea. It’s tastes lemony,” Jane said after taking a drink.

“Oh, yes! I love lemon in my tea,” Brielle added before lifting her glass to Popeye and taking a sip. She then let Kennedy have a sip.

Popeye then sat in his recliner and sipped his glass before sitting it on the end table beside him.

“Lord, I’ve been so busy in the field, and I planned on stopping by your house sometime this week. But I’m glad you all come over because I’ve received some very distressing news that y’all need to know about. 4 people have come up missing. One of them is a sixteen-year-old autistic girl- a sophomore from Thomasville High School. She was last seen Thursday,” Popeye told them, “Her name was Nanda Abernathy.”

Jane suddenly looked up, setting her glass down hard on the coffee table.

“What???” she cried, “Oh my God, I knew that girl! She always sat alone at lunch! Me, Bruce, and the rest of my friends tried to get her to come sit with us and she wouldn’t do it! I could tell that the poor girl was scared to death! She didn’t talk to anybody! And Audrey Crabtree, Breanna Lindsay, and the rest of those creeps gave her such a hard time! I mean, tortured and tormented that poor girl! So, we tried to befriend her because we knew what it was like to be bullied by those arrogant assholes but she was too scared!”

Popeye nodded and Brielle spoke up.

“Jane, did you see this yourself?” she asked.

“Of course, I did, Mom! They’d beat her up all the time! They’d call her retarded, retard, F-tard, and other such horrific names! And I swear, we tried, Mom! We tried to get her to come hang with us! Bruce, Andy, and I would even take up for her when the bullies would attack her, but then, they started making sure we weren’t around and attacking her behind our backs!”

“Why isn’t any of this in the paper?” Brielle asked.

“The Thomasville Cryer didn’t even report a word of it.” Popeye said.

“I’m not surprised. You know that the Cryer is owned by Rita’s family. And if Rita or their associates are involved in something, they’re going to instruct their reporters to stay quiet about it.” Brielle responded.

“I’ve a good mind to call the FBI about this.” Popeye said in anger.

“The FBI are just as crooked,” Brielle reminded.

“I’m aware of that. But Shannon and the Bledsoe brothers went to the FBI and they got results. And that tells me that there are still a few good people that work in the FBI. Most of the crooks are the seventh-floor crowd- those in the top offices. But those with actual boots on the ground, many of them are good people, Brielle, and we have to go to them.” Popeye told her gently.

“I just don’t trust the FBI, Popeye.”

Interesting article: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/bullying/the-psychology-of-bullying-understanding-whats-behind-the-bully/ We think that it is very important that bullies understand that they are weak, not strong. Punishment does not really help (in our opinion) – some might even enjoy being suspended from school, or might enjoy all the attention, even if it is negative attention. What is really important is that they […]

The Psychology of Bullying — Autism Hall of Fame (Awetism Hall of Fame)’s Blog

The following day was Saturday and Brielle was given the day off. Brielle stood in front of her bedroom mirror. She had bought two dresses for her upcoming date with Malcolm. She was excited about tonight and wanted to look her best. She took each of the two dresses by their hangers and placed one against the front of her body, then the other, trying to decide which one she wanted to wear. Jane knocked on the door.

“Mom?” She called.

“Come in, sweetie,” Brielle cheerfully called back.

Jane entered and saw the dresses hung on the closet door.

“Oh, those dresses are gorgeous!” she gushed, “Did you buy them for your date with Malcolm tonight?”

“I did, and I need your opinion here. Which one of the dresses do you think I should wear tonight? The blue sundress with white polka dots, or the solid red, form-fitting dress?” Brielle asked.

“The red one! Definitely!” Jane told her, “You’ve got to wear the red one on your first date! And I’ll take over while you’re out tonight. I’ll watch the baby and keep Olivia in check.”

“Now, I’ve also got to go meet with Kim at the salon to go get my hair done,” Brielle told her.

“Sure. But Mom, why do you have to do all that? You look fine already?”

“Oh, honey! Do you know how long it’s been since I went out on a date? My last date was with your daddy and that’s been eighteen years ago. I feel like a fish out of water or like a baby learning how to play. I feel as if I need to re-learn the dating game.”

“Oh, Mom! You’ll do fine. I know you will.”

Brielle smiled, putting her arm around her eldest daughter shoulder, then kissed her cheek.

“So, did Bruce ask you out again?” she asked.

“We’re going out next weekend. He’s taking me to the fair. But tonight, he’s got to work so I’m staying home with Olivia and the baby while you and Malcolm go out. You know, I really think that things are going to work out just fine, Mom,” Jane said with a smile.

Later that morning, Brielle walked into Kim’s salon. A smiling Kim greeted her at the door.

“Well, come in, Cinderella. We gotta get you ready for a hot date to-niiight!” Kim said in an excited and playful tone, “So, are you excited?”

“A little. Lord, it’s been eighteen years since the last time I was out in the dating world,” Brielle confessed to her as she sat down in the barber’s chair and leaned her head back into the washing sink. Kim turned on the water and ran it over her long, blonde highlighted locks.

“Oh, you’ll do fine. Don’t worry. And what did you say you needed today?” she said.

“I need a retouch on my highlights, they’re getting a little brassy,” Brielle told her.

“We can do that! I’ll have you looking fresh and new for Malcolm tonight. Oh! By the way, I’ve got some new tea to serve today. Grant cheated on Misty again,” Kim informed.

“Oh, Lord that’s not news, Kim. That’s common knowledge. Grant’s a well-known philanderer. From what I’ve heard, he cheats on Misty every chance he gets and with every other woman in town. Grant Lindsay’s notorious around here! He’s always been a lowlife womanizer, and everybody knows it,” Brielle chuckled.

“Well, it sure doesn’t stop the droves of immoral and unscrupulous women from waiting in line for their turn with him. You know? I never understood that. They know he’s a pig, but they still make their hearts vulnerable to him,” Kim continued, “Of course, I can’t blame Grant. Being married to the likes of Misty Allen? And she’s known for putting that man down, calling him a weak bitch, both to his face and to everyone else. It’s a wonder they don’t just get divorced and be done with it.”

After Kim finished the hair washing, she wrapped Brielle’s head in a towel and led her over to another barber’s chair.

“They’ve got two children. So, I guess he figures it’s just cheaper to keep her,” Brielle added as she sat down.

“Well, naturally, the way she treats him, Grant’s going go out and find his love somewhere else, even if it is a lie. And why not? There were plenty of women in town who make him feel like a man, so he takes advantage,” Kim said as she began combing Brielle’s long, wet hair, starting from the tips and working her way up to the roots.

“Boy, your hair has really grown since you’ve been back. It’s down to your butt, nearly. And you do have a few split ends.”

“Just give the ends a light dusting.”

“I will do. And here’s something you haven’t heard about. But! A couple of snooty teachers from the high school came in to have Celia, Melissa, and me do their hair. And they discussed you, Jane, and Olivia while they were here. I didn’t like it, but I went along. A lot of people are mad at you from taking your kids out of Thomasville schools and sending them to Pathways Home School,” Kim went on, “I mean, they are really mad. And they’re that way every time a parent takes their child out of these public schools. So, just to let you know, you aren’t alone in this.”

“What the hell business is it of their anyway? They’re our children, not theirs,” said Brielle.

“Yeah. Well, they don’t see it that way. They see it as a middle finger to their precious Schools and school staff. And they take high offense to it. They also see it as something that makes them look bad. And they despise anyone who does or says anything to make them look like the bullies and creeps they are. So, I’ve got to warn you, they’re talking. And I heard they’re planning to get CPS involved to make you look unfit. They also plan to go after Jane and charge her with assault and battery. It’s a good thing you took Jane out of that school when you did, because I was also informed that Mr. Winchester and the school district have filed an unruly child report on Jane. And they’re also talking about going after the McCauley’s too. They want to get back at Bruce for helping you defend against those bullies at the park,” Kim explained.

“Wow! The principal told me about the unruly child report when I went to the school to turn in Jane’s books, and I suspected that they were planning to charge Jane with A and B. But I had no idea about their plans to get CPS involved,” Brielle said with a sigh.

“Well, that’s what they’re saying, Brielle. But I know that Jane fought because she had to, not because she wanted to. And I don’t think anyone should be punished for defending themselves against a bunch of bullies. And just between you and me, Raina and I are going to follow your lead, Brielle. First thing Monday, we’re enrolling our kids into Pathways and Big Bruce McCauley? You know, Bruce’s dad, the auto mechanic? He told Hank last night that he’s going to enroll Bruce into Pathways on Monday. And a few others are enrolling their kids in Pathways as well. It seems you’ve started a trend in this town, Brielle- a mass exodus from Thomasville Schools. Just in the last four days, droves of kids have exited Thomasville Elementary, Middle, and High schools like Israelites coming out of Egypt,” Kim told her.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that. Let’s just hope that the Pharaohs in Thomasville stay put and let them go,” Brielle said.

When the weekend arrived, the girls were helping their mother prepare dinner when someone knocked at the door.

“Jane, honey, will you get the door while I finish basting the chicken and Olivia butters the rolls?” Brielle asked sweetly.

“Sure, Mom,” Jane chirped as she set the bowl of mashed potatoes down and washed her hands.

She answered the door to find Bruce on her doorstep. Her face lit up, as did Bruce’s.

“Hey!” She greeted, happy to see him.

“Well, hello, Ms. Home School,” Bruce greeted with a smile, “Can I come in?”

“Yeah, come on,” Jane said as she let Bruce inside.

Once Bruce was inside the house, Jane introduced him.

“Mom, Olivia, this is Bruce. A real close friend of mine from Thomasville High. Bruce, this is my mom, and my sister, Olivia.”

“Nice to meet you, Bruce,” Brielle told him as Olivia smiled and waved, “Would you like some dinner?”

“Thanks, Ms. Markowitz, but I wanted to see if I could take Jane out on a date,” Bruce said before turning and gazing at Jane with a smile, “I just got a car and I wanted to take her for a ride. They just finished fixing it up yesterday.”

Jane smiled and turned to her mother.

“Can I, Mom? Can I go with Bruce?”

Brielle smiled.

“I don’t see why not. It’s after five-thirty now. But I want you home at eleven. Okay?” Brielle told her.

“Definitely!” Jane agreed.

Bruce and Jane excitedly ran out of the house, hand in hand.

“Check out my wheels! What do ya think?” Bruce gushed.

Jane smiled as she gazed at the classic, shiny red, 1979 Trans Am with brand new tires and chrome hubcaps. Black racing strips ran down the center of the hood, the roof, and the back of the car. There was a spoiler on the tail with louvers on the back windshield.

“I love it,” Jane gushed.

Bruce walked over to the passenger side and opened the door for Jane. After Jane got in, he closed the door behind her, then walked around and got in. He slid down behind the wheel and put his seatbelt on before cranking the ignition. Jane followed his lead, clicking her seatbelt secure.

The motor loudly roared to life as Jane noticed that Bruce had glass packs. As he pressed down on the gas, the motor roared even louder, like a racecar. Jane smiled at Bruce. As soon as Bruce pulled out of the driveway, he bore down on the gas and took off as the motor screamed.

It was so loud that Grandma Bennett, only a few houses down, came out onto her front porch to see whose car was making so much noise. She stood on the porch and watched as the car sped by with Jane in the passenger seat, waving at her as they passed. She put her hands on her hips.

“What in the Sam Hill!” Grandma chided, watching the car speed out of sight.

Bruce took Jane to a new 80’s themed Malt Shop, called “The Black Trans Am,” that had opened a few months prior. When they walked in, they were amazed at the 80’s pop art that decorated the walls along with the framed old newspaper columns that had headlines that read, “The Iran Contra Affair,” “Chernobyl,” “Space Shuttle Challenger Explodes in Mid Air,” and “Reagan Wins Second Term.” They also saw old movie posters from theaters, such as ones for the movie, “Batman,” with the number 1989 engraved in a golden label under it. Others were, “Lethal Weapon, 1987” “Caddyshack, 1981,” and “Ghostbusters, 1984.”

There were posters of the era’s rockstars and music groups as well. A Purple Rain poster of Prince, perched on his motorcycle and others of Motley Crue, Dokken, Guns N Roses, Madonna, Depeche Mode, and Tears for Fears.

The seats at all the booths were refurbished backseats from old Trans Ams. They were black and looked polished to a perfect shine. On the other side of the dining area were vintage Atari arcade games like, Pac-Man, Asteroids, Q-bert, Berzerk, Pitfall, and Frogger. They also had Nintendo Arcade games, like Super Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, and Mike Tyson’s Punchout.

As the song “It’s My Life,” by Talk Talk, played over the restaurant’s speakers, Bruce and Jane looked around and were amazed.

“Boy, I would give anything to have been a teenager during the 80’s! I hear my parents talk and say what a cool decade the 80’s were!” Bruce said.

“But if you had been, you’d be in your 50’s now,” Jane said.

“True,”

“I’ll bet my mom would feel old as dirt coming in here. She was born in ’85. That’s almost 40 years ago,” Jane said, “I can’t imagine being that old.”

“My dad keeps warning me, ‘Son, you’re only young once. Enjoy it. Because tomorrow, you’ll be 50 and wonder where all the time went. He says it creeps up on you.”

“Yeah, Grandma B says the same thing.”

They took their seats at one of the booths and a thirty something waitress seated them and handed them their menus.

“I’ll give you a minute to look over the menu and return when you’re ready to order,” the waitress said kindly.

When the waitress returned for their orders, Bruce looked up.

“I’d like the Big Gnarly Cheeseburger and fries with a cherry 7up,” he told her.

“And I’d like a Mega Cheese Coney with a Coke,” Jane said.

The waitress jotted down their orders in her pad, then took their menus.

“Alright, we’ll have your orders out in about 20 minutes,” the waitress kindly assured.

Bruce then took Jane’s hand and gazed into her eyes.

“I heard about the knife fight. I don’t blame you for not coming back to Thomasville High, but we miss you, Jane. Me, Roxie, Andy, Brenda, and so many others. We really miss you. I just want you to know that,” he said softly.

“Yeah. I know,” Jane said, “But I’ve got to look out for me, and it isn’t safe there for me. Thomasville High is a very toxic place. It’s a very dangerous place for me.”

“I know. I don’t blame you, babe,” Bruce assured her as he reached across the table and gently brushed a stray strand of blond hair out of Jane’s face, “I’m going to talk to my father and see if he can’t transfer me to Pathways Home School too. Chicken Chandler, Breanna Lindsay and that bunch there. They’re giving me, Roxie, and rest of us a hard time. And the sheriff paid me a visit over the fight in the park. Says he’s going to be watching me like a hawk from now on.”

“I hope your father agrees to home school you, Bruce. Thomasville High blows and you don’t need to stay there.”

“Another thing that concerns me is that Breanna, Audrey, and the rest of those ditzy broads are going around trying to get information that’s none of their business-they’re asking a lot of questions about you and your mom. Word’s gotten around about your mom homeschooling you and now, they want to know where you live and where you hang out. Those dip wads just won’t let go. They’re like dogs with a bone.”

“I guess they just don’t have a life, do they?”

“Nope.”

“Well, enough about them,” Jane said, “I wanna talk about you and your car. And what you’ve been doing with yourself for the past few days.”

Bruce leaned in closer.

“Thinking about you. That’s what I’ve been doing the past few days. Being anxious to come see you and spend time with you. And when they finished my car today, your house was the first place I drove, to” he said softly.

Jane gazed into Bruce’s eyes as she smiled and reached over to pluck a piece of lint off Bruce’s shirt collar.

We must never put all our eggs in one basket and many of us end up learning this the hard way. It’s always best to have a plan B in mind.

As most of you know, my follow button doesn’t work anymore and hasn’t for several months now and Word Press will not help me restore it’s function. However, looking on the bright side, I have a plan B and have been implementing it for a long time now.

Plan B is this. Although I’m no longer able to follow new followers and new blogs I come across that I like, I CAN put them in my blog roll, which is the next best thing to following.

Doing this, I can keep up with their posts by going to the blog roll to click on the links to their sites.

How I wish I’d thought of this when I first started having issues. Until I’m able to produce a self-hosted blog, this will be my go-to plan to reciprocate the love of new followers from here on. Therefore, if you have these kinds of issues, if your follow button stops working or WP takes that feature away, remember. You can always add new followers to your blog roll.

I love you all! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

In 1995 and 1996, I worked at Charms Candy Company. A divorced mother of two children at the time, it was the job that came along just when I felt like giving up. I can’t tell you how many interviews I had been through. I worked in the Tool Crib in the maintenance department and I got along great with the other employees there.

The first winter of my employment at Charms was one of the coldest winters we’d had in years. And working third shift, those hours were the coldest. Because we worked a straight 8 hour shift, there were no lunch breaks, only two twenty minutes breaks, during which I’d go sit in my car and listen to music while the heater ran full blast.

On one particular night after the last break of the night, it was so cold that I jumped out of the car and ran full speed across the parking lot, thinking that the faster I ran, the quicker I could get inside where it was warm. I’d see many other workers sprint across the parking lot as well, trying to escape the single-digit temps and freezing winds that would cut right through a person.

Suddenly, the toe of my shoe hit something in the parking lot and I went head over hills. The next thing I knew, I was laid flat on the freezing asphalt with people passing by. It seemed that the entire third shift got to witness my unfortunate spill onto the cold, hard pavement. At first, I could feel my cheeks get warm and my face flush ten shades of red but a few seconds later, the embarrassment subsided and I could only laugh about it.

The other workers were gracious and one of the guys held out his hand for me to take and pulled me to my feet.

And from then on, I was known as Speed-bump. It was all in good fun and I loved my coworkers to death. It’s been said that of people give you a nickname, it means they like you a lot. I have to agree. How I miss those years. The 90’s were great!

The moral of the story is this: When you’re able to make fun of yourself, you show great confidence!

How blessed we are to have our faith, our family, and our freedom! I thank God for so many blessings! It is with a grateful heart that I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Here lately we’ve been hearing corrupt leaders use the phrase, “For the Greater Good,” or “For the Good of Humanity.” I agree that we should reach out and help our fellow man when he’s down. Also, I realize that these terms can be deceptive. People use these phrases to slyly promote the self-interest of only a few in authority.

Therefore, we must realize that the majority of politicians are experts at giving the illusion of compassion.

Understand that anytime someone tells you that you should  do something that is unsafe, or wrong “for the good of humanity,” you can be sure that what they’re asking you to do isn’t in your best interests. It never is.

A Subtle Guilt Trip?

Realize that the use of these two excuses is a form of manipulation.  Bullies and people in power use them to guilt you into doing something that will be harmful to you or to another individual. In that, they play on your empathy and love for humanity.

We see this happening today. But this is a tactic people have used all through history. And when you get hurt because you allowed them to convince you to do what you know to be harmful to you, they will then disappear and leave you to suffer with no recourse. It will be a herd lesson you’ll have to learn. Then, when you speak out and warn others not to make the same mistake you made, the same people will come back with a vengeance. And they will gaslight you and do everything they possibly can to destroy your credibility.

That’s why it’s imperative that you see these two phrases as sure signs of manipulation and follow your instincts. You most also question their motives and try to figure out what would be in it for them if you complied. Also, you must weigh the pros and cons on their side and those on your side of the equation. How would they benefit? How would you benefit? What could possibly go wrong if you complied?

Who Benefits from Your Compliance, You or Them?

Always ask questions even at the risk of invoking the anger of the authorities. And, more importantly, do your own research and gather your own information. Know that you have a right to know the truth.

With knowledge comes empowerment!

Anyone who has ever been bullied will tell you that it sometimes takes years to overcome the after-affects, get completely comfortable with yourself and find happiness.

Because of the torment I suffered at school, I was a shy person for years and my shyness peaked during my childbearing years. I would not speak to anyone unless they spoke to me first, out of fear that I would say something wrong. I didn’t like myself because I felt that I was somehow different and that God had put a mark on me like Cain. I felt that I didn’t quite measure up. And this was during my early 20s when I was just beginning to discover who I was and what I really wanted out of life.

Throughout junior high and high school, I was bullied so much that I was blinded to my own feminine beauty (I was a very beautiful young girl). I also did not feel free to express myself and most importantly, get to know myself.

Being in a toxic environment or around toxic people can block you from opportunities, blind you to your own inner and outer beauty, diminish the ability to use talents and natural abilities, prevent you from having your own opinions and feelings and from accepting and being yourself when you are young and haven’t been in the world long enough to know the difference.

When I finally left that toxic, poisonous, downright dangerous environment that was my old school and transferred to a new high school, I felt like a bird out of a cage- like I had just been given a full pardon and released from prison.

From that day forward, I could finally begin working on getting to know ME and I was put on the road to self-discovery. However, that road proved to be a long one.

During my mid to late 20’s I became hungry for self-betterment. I slowly began trying new things and confronting my fears and shyness HEAD ON by actually doing the things I feared most! I discovered talents and abilities I never thought I had and could express myself and my wants and needs without ridicule.

Like magic, new opportunities and better situations began opening up to me. It was like the floodgates of heaven had suddenly opened and I was washed away in a river of blessing.

But it took years to get through the anger, the sadness, the shyness, the defensiveness and being closed up and guarded before I was finally able to totally and completely accept who I was as a woman. And when I finally accepted myself, which meant accepting the good, the bad, and the ugly qualities, I found peace and happiness I never thought possible.

Am I perfect? No. Do I try to be? Nope. I accept all characteristics of me. I know my good traits: that I have a good heart, that I have compassion and empathy for others, that I am outgoing and confident, that I like to have fun, that I love to sing, dance and write novels. Am I proud of that? YES! YES! YESSSS!!!

I also know my bad traits and if I can’t do anything about them, I embrace them. However, if I can change them, I put in the work to do so. I accept that I am sometimes forgetful. I also accept that I no longer have the perfect body after having had children. I am comfortable in my own skin.

I also prefer Tee shirts, jeans, and sneakers over fancy dresses and high heels (which I only wear when an occasion calls for it). Do I like this about myself? ABSOLUTELY!

What I want is for you to completely accept yourself because it is a stepping stone to happiness. When you accept yourself as you are, quirks and all, and stop being so concerned about how you are seen by others, you actually FREE yourself from that ball and chain called self-consciousness. It is like a huge weight being lifted off of you.

Also, you become much more attractive to people and they are drawn to you like a magnet. And the individuals who are waiting for you to mess up actually get bored, give up and stop watching you. I know this from experience. Acceptance of self (all aspects) is such sweet freedom!

No one likes to be around a self conscious and insecure victim. I’ll say it again:
No. One. Likes. A. Victim!

So I want you to make a brand new start today and begin your new life by accepting who you are. Count your blessings, your friends, your family, and your chance opportunities. Anything positive that is happening OR has happened in your life is a blessing. This is where you start. Start by counting blessings. Take a pen and piece of paper and write down each blessing and I guarantee you will be on your way!

I wonder how many people can actually list all of their blessings without running out of paper and/or ink. I know I couldn’t.

With knowledge comes empowerment!

Roxie walked up to Jane and put her arm around her.

“Jane, what just happened?” she asked, concerned.

“Just forget it! And forget him!” she said as she swiped her books up and stormed off to class. Roxie followed her.

“Jane, let’s go to the bathroom and talk. I think I know what’s eating Bruce.”

“I don’t care,” Jane snapped.

Roxie walked beside her.

“Yes, you do, Jane. Who do you think you’re kidding? I’m your friend,” she told her, “Now, please. Come to the girls’ room with me and I’ll tell you what’s going on. Okay?”

Jane stopped and thought for a moment. She then looked at Roxie.

“Okay,” she agreed.

Smokin’ in the Girls’ Room

In the bathroom, Roxie and Jane hid in one of the stalls. Roxie pulled out a joint, then lit it before taken two puffs and passing it to Jane.

“Here, this will relax your nerves,” Roxie assured as Jane took the joint and puffed on it.

After taking two big puffs, Jane handed it back to Roxie. Roxie then snuffed the joint out with her fingers and put it into an empty makeup compact and closed it.

“Let’s find another bathroom. If a teacher comes in, she’ll smell weed and we’ll get busted. And the sheriff would love nothing better. He hates my family,” Roxie said.

“He hates yours too, huh?” Jane asked as she and Roxie quickly exited the bathroom.

The two girls made their way through the crowded halls until they found a smaller bathroom to hide in.

“It’s almost time for class. We’re going to be late if we’re not careful,” Jane warned.

“I know. But they’ll only give us a slap on the wrist- a tongue lashing or something like that. It won’t be serious.” Roxie assured as they stood in front of the vanity. She then changed the subject.

Roxie Lets Jane in on a Secret

“Now, about Bruce? Everybody’s laughing at him and saying that a girl fought his battles for him. They’re saying that Bruce would have gotten his ass kicked if it weren’t for you,” Roxie informed her.

“Right! His manhood’s wounded, I get it!” Jane said in a sarcastic tone.

“Wait a minute, Jane. I didn’t say you did anything wrong. You didn’t,” Roxie assured her.

“I know I didn’t. Roxie, there were eight of those creeps! Eight! And they tried to jump us both! What was I supposed to do, let them kick our asses. As many of them as there were compared to only two of us! They would’ve hurt us really badly! Probably maimed us! Even killed us! I was fighting for me too! Not just him!” Jane cried.

“I know. Look! I’ll talk to Bruce,” Roxie told her.

“No, don’t worry about it. Please, Roxie. He’ll only think that I put you up to it. I know how guys think. If he’s going to act like a jerk, then piss on him,” Jane said.

Jane Scoffs at Male Pride

“Okay. I won’t. But just ignore him and he’ll come around eventually. Hell, he was crazy about you, and I think he still is. He’s just pissed off right now because he feels less like a man.”

“I’ve already had a bad morning. My mom chewed me out this morning before I got on the bus. And maybe she was right. If we hadn’t gone to the park to begin with, none of this would’ve happened and Bruce and I might not be angry at each other. But I’m not going to cry over spilled milk. Screw it.”

Suddenly, the school bell rang and both girls were late for class. They both grabbed their books and ran out of the bathroom.

Here’s what one parent had to say on Facebook. I’m withholding her name to protect her identity.

“I think I am going to throw up! I’m having a PTSD moment.

Please read the entire post and share. Parents need to know.

This man should be prosecuted to the fullest extend of the law in which is possible. Cyber Crimes and Stalking and Doxxing and a whole slew of other charges they can find!

Why do I feel this way? As you have been made of aware what happened to my child and the dysfunction by so called professional Educators and so called Professional Councilors and even a School Psychologist involved. Targeting and bullying and destroying a child and a parent. To my surprise after even dealing with legal aid who did absolutely nothing and I am doing everything possible I can for my son I get all my child’s education records!

I suggest to all parents you do the same. You might be surprised of what you might find!!

There is a envelope in my child’s education files! What do I find? I find Hippa Law Violation: Private medical records sent to the school and it even had mentioned my personal information and of course no one would believe me and everyone else covered their asses! Till this day no one has been prosecuted for anything these so called professionals did to my child and breaking laws.

Just disgusted at what these people have lowered themselves to, Arizona Educators, here in Ohio and across America.”

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Farizona-school-district-says-independent-investigator-examine-alleged-dossier-parents&h=AT35l_7jx66xUS0_i2Yte80gFDNoSBs2P1LA1PxxNIxSth56CJZVrECXDJwX0Fa0yZcU5zpXIJMt6hUgSHCY0y8us4sfFUhfrzFChI2mTw0qzapXJKt-vhFny6emgEFTwBeBpQI_LJVbvbZRJA

My take:

This is bullying on a grand scale, by school officials. And my advice to these parents is to take their kids out of public school and homeschool right away. Taking their kids out of these schools is the only way to even hope to hold these school officials accountable. Because with each child that exits public schools goes an average of $100.00 of funding per day in attendance. And it adds up quickly! Without kids, schools lose money! So, hit them where it hurts, parents!

With knowledge comes empowerment!

“Ooooh, will ya look at this, guys!”

Bruce paused and Jane flinched as they looked up and saw Chandler, Kevin, Ron, and Bryson approaching. In the street behind them was a waiting quad-cab pick-up truck, which was a shiny, new, silver Ford F-150. A shiny new red sports car pulled in behind the truck and out stepped Daniel from the driver’s side. Alice in Chains’ “Them Bones” blared from the car’s speakers as Breanna got out of the passenger side. Then, a third vehicle pulled up, a jeep, in which sat Audrey and Ashley. Both girls climbed out.

As the group of eight approached the new couple, Chandler spoke again.

“Damn, Bruce! We didn’t think you had it in you, boy!” he said.

Jane looked at Bruce.

“Look, Bruce. Let’s just go. I don’t want any drama and I hate fighting. Please let’s just go. You don’t have to prove anything to those creeps! I already know you’re a man!” Jane pleaded.

The Bullies Lay Down the Gauntlet

“Jane, I’m not running from these worthless pieces of shit!” Bruce said as he and Jane wrapped their arms tighter around each other.

“Well, isn’t that sweet! The lover boy is protecting his sweet love. ‘Must be really nice,” Breanna taunted.

“We’ve waited a long time for this, Jane! What? ‘You really believe the reprieve you got was by accident? Did you really believe we’d just give up and go away? Huh?” Audrey asked in a mocking tone.

“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” Jane growled, looking at Breanna as if to dare her, “What? Are you a bunch of stalkers now?”

Ashley scoffed before speaking.

“Stalkers? Ha-ha!” Ashley mocked before turning to Breanna and Audrey, then to each the guys, “Did you hear that, y’all? She just called us, us…a bunch of stalkers! Can you believe the audacity of this bitch?”

“Damn, boy! Ya girlfriend’s got bigger balls than you do!” Ron derided.

Challenging the Bullies

“Oh, really! Are you so stupid as to think that eight people on two makes you a man? Hell, you couldn’t survive without your wingmen, could you, Chicken Chandler?” Bruce challenged as he stepped in front of Jane, glaring at the bullies and placing his arms akimbo, “So, I tell ya what. If you’re a man, prove it! Take me one on one! Without any interference from your buddies! I dare ya!”

The split-second micro-expression of surprise flashed across Chandler’s face before he looked around at his friends.

“Boy, this bastard has great big, hairy balls the size of watermelons, don’t he?” He said before his friends roared in mocking laughter.

Chandler then turned back to Bruce.

“Alright, freak! I accept your challenge!” He said as he pulled off his muscle shirt to reveal six-pack abs, a bulging chest and well-chiseled guns.

Put Up or Shut Up

Jane just stood there, speechless, as she watched Bruce pulled his tee shirt off to reveal the same. Each boy faced each other, each placing a dominant leg back and throwing up their dukes. Chandler danced backwards, trying to dance around Bruce, prompting Bruce to slowly turn, maintaining his focus on him and his fisted guard up.

The girls surrounded Jane, prompting Jane to take a defensive stance, placing one leg behind the other and putting her hands up in preparation. The girls flinched and backed off.

“Yeah! That’s what I thought!” Jane snapped, raising her voice.

“That’s okay! We’ll get you after Chandler’s finished with your boyfriend…slut!” Breanna growled.

Meanwhile, Chandler took a swing at Bruce, but Bruce dodged and belted him in the stomach, then caught him under the chin with an upper cut. This caused Chandler to bite his tongue and his head to snap back.

Seeing Chandler stumbling, coughing, grabbing his wounded torso, and spitting blood, the other boys immediately charged Bruce. Seeing what was about to happen, Jane screamed.

“Bruce! Behind you!”