She pleads for your help

"Certainly," you answer, opening the door and gesturing, curious about the girl's request and by the signs of her distress. She bites her lip then gives you a slightly shaky smile before stepping into the cottage.

"Why don't you take a seat in the living room?" You gesture and Valerie steps into the room, choosing to sit in an upholstered chair. You take a seat at one end of the couch, looking expectantly at the girl.

"What can I do for you, Valerie?"

"Well...you know I'm on the team....the softball team that is...and the soccer team too...at least I was....but Ms. Naylor...the headmistress? She's mad at me...and she told me that...that I can't play..." she starts to sob. "And I love to play...I really do...It's really really important to me.....and I was hoping....hoping that you...that you could talk to her....please sir...please can you speak to her?"

"I told Headmistress Naylor what I saw this morning," you tell the tearful brunette. "She told me you had a history of discipline problems and she regarded this as a very serious matter Valerie."

The girl looks stricken at the news. "But....it's just....just a misunderstanding..." she sobs.

"I told her that it looked like a hazing incident. She told me that it's not the first such incident, and you have a history of bullying."

"No! It's not true! Other girls...other girls have lied about me...they're jealous...and Ms. Naylor...she never believes me...." She buries her face in her hands, rocking in despair. You rub your hand over your mouth to hide your smile as you notice her peeking at you between her fingers, clearly checking on the effect her grief is having on you.

"Please Mr. Watts....please talk to her...I love playing...I just love it...and...and...I'm a good player too...both softball and soccer....you can ask anyone....please sir....please talk to her..."

"I have to be honest Valerie, this is a serious matter. And I really don't think there's a place for bullying on a team."

"But I'm not!" she wails. "I just try to be a leader, and encourage the other girls. You can ask them....I try to help them improve...I love being on the teams so much Mr. Watts....please...please speak to Ms. Naylor....I'm begging you sir!" With that she slides out of the chair and scoots across the floor to kneel in front of you, her hands holding your calves as she looks up at your face in tearful entreaty.

"Please sir...help me...please," she whimpers, looking utterly delicious and helpless.