( Advanced Level )
For the past twenty seven years, Phoebe Miller has been the voice for many youths. Currently on her desk she has three cases all involving young females that have proven a bit more difficult.
Lewisville and its people seem to look at life a little differently. Whether it is due to naivety or not caring, she is unsure. Maybe it’s the idealism that kids will be kids.
She was told not to get too emotionally involved and leave her work at work but this wasn’t an easy task. She found herself thinking of their dilemmas and hearing their voices on her drive to and from work.
Thankfully, her husband Craig, was a patient man. He knew when to give her space. When she was ready he was always there to lend an ear. She adored him for this.
Memorial day weekend was coming. Only one more day at the office and then four wonderful days off. She knew it wouldn’t be completely off. She would take these files home with her to work on.
Thursday came and Phoebe gathered the three files on her way out of the office. She told her coworkers to have a relaxing four days and headed out the door to home.
Craig had prepared a quick dinner for the two of them and they sat drinking a glass of white wine together in front of the bay window in their living room. This was their favorite spot.
They chose this little house in the outskirts of the city to be in nature. To have a place to unwind from the daily hassles of city working.
On Friday morning Craig had taken their dog out with him for his morning run and Phoebe found herself sitting at her desk, in the den, thumbing through those files.
She sipped on her coffee and wondered why parents teach their daughters how to say no to unwanted advances but they do not teach their sons to respect this word.
An hour passed and Craig returned home. Phoebe was deep in thought and hadn’t noticed he stood watching her. “Honey?” She startled and looked his way then smiled.
“Sorry, I was deep in thought about these girls. I need to find a solution to help them.”
“I am always here to listen.” her husband said as he left to have his morning shower.
Breakfast was eaten in silence and dishes were cleared. Phoebe returned to the den. Craig gave her some time then he entered. “ Maybe you need another’s perspective on these. You want me to listen?”
She let out a sigh and agreed. If she was to enjoy the remaining days of her long weekend she needed to finish these cases.
Phoebe never used names when she discussed cases with her husband but he always knew the right things to advise.
“ I have three delicate cases all involving females and the people involved are from prestigious people in the community. This is what makes it a bit more difficult. It is a fine line to walk.”
“Case number one involves a sweet six year old girl. She along with three other girls are being bothered by a male classmate who will not take no for an answer to his unwanted kisses.”
“Sounds innocent enough but some parents are pulling their daughters out of this school since the staff will not do anything about it. This young boy’s father is a doctor.”
“Case number two is a thirteen year old female in middle school. Not only is she being bullied by her peers, the boys are harassing her due to her early development. She is raised in a single parent household and it hasn’t been easy for her mother. She cannot afford a lot. The boys in question, again, are from well to do families.”
“And the last case is that of a first year college student. She will be eighteen in four months. Until then she still falls under my jurisdiction.”
“ She is experiencing advances from boys on the basketball team. They have even gone so far as to follow her to her dorm. Making gestures and comments. One of the boy’s father is an alumni of the college and another is the son of the police chief.”
“Craig, I do not know exactly what to do. If I do one thing I cause a lot of trouble for the school and the parents of these boys. It may cause backlash to the girls. If I chose to ignore them then I let the girls down.”
Craig sat there absorbing every word his wife spoke. Phoebe looked at him waiting to hear his viewpoint. Hoping his wisdom would make things more clear for her.
He continued to sip on his coffee and deep in his thoughts. “One thing you are overlooking, my love. I want you to take out the fact that these boys are from prominent families and what do you have?”
“You have boys that are trouble. Maybe nothing will happen to the youngest girl but you never know what or if anything could happen to the other two.”
“Boys can be unpredictable at that age. Especially if their friends are bidding them to keep going. I want you to take one factor out of the equation. Their family status. Then I think you can make a clear choice with the outcome.”
He added,” One more important thing is to educate the educators. Maybe suggest a class or seminar to let all young people know the consequences that may occur if they continue their actions.”
Phoebe looked at her husband and whispered, “Thank you.” She knew asking for his advice was going to be helpful. She did just this.
In each file she wrote her recommendations. Whether it was for a temporary suspension or an expulsion from the facility. After all, no means no. Her duty was to these girls regardless.
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Thoughts From Angel:
Why is it that parents focus on their daughters when it comes to unwanted advances? Boys need to be taught when a girls says no this means no. Consequences will be inevitable.
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Vocabulary:
naivety – noun: innocence or unsophisticated
idealism – noun: the practice of forming or pursuing ideals, especially unrealistically
kids will be kids -idiomatic: You cannot expect children to act like adults
task– noun: work or assignment
dilemmas – noun: a difficult situation or problem
lend an ear – phrase: listen sympathetically or attentively
adored – verb: love and respect
bay window – noun: a window built to project outward from an outside wall
unwind – verb: relax
hassles – noun: irritating inconveniences
unwanted – adjective: not desired
perspective – noun: a point of view
delicate – adjective: fragile
prestigious – adjective: having high status
innocent – adjective: naïve
peers – noun: someone equal to your level
harassing noun: the action of subjecting someone to aggressive pressure or intimidation
jurisdiction – noun: power to make legal decisions and judgments
gestures – noun: a movement of part of the body to express an idea or meaning
alumni – noun: a graduate or former student
backlash – noun: adverse reaction
absorbing – adjective: soaking up or listening carefully with what is said
prominent – adjective: important or famous
unpredictable – adjective: not able to be predicted
bidding – noun: the ordering or requesting of someone to do something
factor out of the equation– idiom: exclude something or keep it from being incorporated into something
status – noun: the social, professional, or standing of someone
consequences – noun: result or effect of an action
recommendations -noun: a suggestion
suspension – noun: temporary prevention from continuing school
expulsion – noun: permanent process of forcing someone to leave a school
regardless – adverb: despite the circumstances
Question ( s ):
Do you think someone should be treated differently regarding laws or rules just because of their families position in society?
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