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"The hospital report doesn't show any injuries, no traumas. Your clothes weren't torn."

"No injuries!" Daddy leaped to his feet. "What kind of a man are you? Do you have children?"

"Yes, Mr. Clarke, as a matter of fact. I have two daughters, one in her twenties and working on her masters in education and another just starting at the University of Boston. I worry about them all the time. I also have a son in high school, a senior. and I worry about him. too. I tell him how important it is to think ahead and whenever possible avoid even the appearance of impropriety, especially in today's litigious society where everyone runs to court for anything, even a loud burp."

"Sit down. Austin." Mommy said sharply.

Daddy glared at everyone and did what she wanted.

"What exactly is it you people want from us?" Mommy asked. "We get your point. It won't be easy. It will be nasty. This boy's family obviously has money, and they will have a good defense attorney."

"Exactly, Mrs. Clarke," Mr. Haskins said.

"And so?" Mommy pursued.

Mr. Haskins looked at Dr. Greenleaf and nodded slightly, which was obviously his cue to pick up their rehearsed scenario,

"We are all deeply disturbed and upset by this event. Mrs. Clarke, We recognize the school has certain responsibilities and liabilities."

"Right," Daddy said. "Whatever happened to that, 'we're your surrogate parents' line you used at orientation?"

"Yes, Mr. Clarke. exactly. We are sorry that we let you down on that score. Even if your daughter disobeyed our rules, we should still be vigilant about her welfare here. and Duncan Fields's welfare as well, for that matter.

"We've contacted his family and he's been expelled from Pelham, all his tuition naturally forfeited. As independent citizens, you can go see the district attorney later today, of course, and move forward as you see fit. We're hoping you might find an accommodation that is satisfactory to you. Anticipating other legal and civil difficulties, the school is prepared to offer you a monetary settlement should you be willing to keep this unfortunate incident out of the public eye, however."

"You mean you're offering us money to shut up and go away?" Daddy asked, his eyes wide.

"Compensation that you deserve." Dr. Greenleaf said glancing at Mrs. Mariot.

"There are many other students here and families who will be injured if this becomes a tabloid headline." Mr. and Mrs. Clarke." Mrs. Mariot said. "We have them to consider as well and the faculty and all the good things the school does and can do."

"You're offering us money?" Daddy repeated, nodding as if he had just received a sharp blow to his head.

"We're trying to do the best we can for everyone concerned." Dr. Greenleaf insisted. "You see that, don't you. Summer?" he asked me. smiling.

"Don't talk to her," Daddy ordered. "Don't do that." He rose and put his hands on Mommy's chair handles. Then he nodded to me and I got up and stood beside them. He looked from Mr. Haskins to Dr. Greenleaf and then Mrs. Mariot.

"I don't know where we're going to go with this right now. I know we're going directly over to the dormitory and get Summer's things together so we can get her out of here as quickly as possible.

"As for you. Mr. Haskins and your role as devil's advocate... you might be right. Everything you're implying could happen in court. Maybe a jury would look at Summer and Duncan and think two spoiled rich kids were playing with fire and one got burnt. Why bother us with it?

"But how do you think the Duncan Fieldses of the world are born and nurtured? The rich and the privileged worry about their lily-white reputations and are willing to do anything to protect that, even if it means excusing and tolerating someone like Duncan Fields.

"We came here today expecting to find you people as disturbed and as outraged as we were. We actually believed that crap you spewed out about being responsible and concerned for our children's welfare,

"Instead, we find the three of you circling the wagons to protect yourselves and pretend you're only doing it to keep Summer and us from any further suffering. You'll give us some compensation from your insurance company, and you'll send Duncan Fields back out there unscathed really.

"But you know something. Mr. Haskins," Daddy said glaring down at him. "someday he or someone just like him will tempt your daughter. I hope that doesn't happen. I hope your children have wonderful, healthy and successful lives.

"But if it does or even almost does. I hope you'll think back to this morning and remember my daughter's face and all your fancy dancing.

"Then I hope you go look at yourself in the mirror and see yourself for the first time.

"Thanks for your time." he concluded, turned Mommy's chair and wheeled us to the door. I lunged to open it and we left in a wake of silence.

Mommy reached up for my hand as we left the administration

"See why I married this man?" she asked me, smiling through her tears.