Whisper to the Wind by Marianne K. Martin

Author:Marianne K. Martin [Martin, Marianne K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bywater Books
Published: 2024-10-08T00:00:00+00:00

It was no surprise that Kayla was once again called into Dr. Reed’s office. She sat across from her more nervously than the first time.

“Kayla,” Dr. Reed began, “you weren’t totally honest with me, were you?”

“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not convinced that you are sorry, but I think I understand why. This is what you were talking about in your essay, isn’t it? Kids being bullied.”

“Yes,” Kayla confirmed with a nod.

“And it sounds like you have developed a strong student coalition against bullying right under my nose. That makes me wonder if you had come to me first whether I could have helped make it even more effective.”

“If I had told you, would you have tried to stop me?”

Dr. Reed leaned back in her chair and assessed the young woman in front of her. “I probably would have discouraged you and tried to convince you to let us take care of it. I wouldn’t support something that put students in further danger.”

“What would you have done?”

Dr. Reed slid her chair closer to the desk and clasped her hands on top of it. “The same things we’ll be doing now. The students suspected of bullying would be brought in one at a time to talk with counselors, parents would be called in, and warnings or suspensions given. Teachers would be alerted to watch for further problems.”

“But how does that stop them from threatening us on the way home from school or on the weekends or during the summer? Sometimes parents can’t or won’t stop them. Do we call the police every time we’re threatened? And what is anyone going to do about the hurtful things they put on social media?” Her nervousness was gone. She saw what Ms. James had told her about Dr. Reed—she did care. It was apparent in her posture, leaning into her words, and her eyes framed with creases of sincerity. So, Kayla added the rest, the core of it. “What has the school done to encourage students to stand up for themselves and not be afraid? When we’re afraid, the bullies win.” She watched as Dr. Reed hesitated to reply immediately and lowered her eyes.

It was too much, Kayla worried. She’d said more than she should and overstepped the bounds.

Then Dr. Reed’s eyes came up, her expression contemplative and serious. “I have a proposition for you,” she said. “First, though, was your mother aware of what you were planning to do today?”

“Not everything. I didn’t want her to be afraid for me and try to talk me out of it. When I cut my hair, I told her that I wanted to take a stand and show strength. But that’s all she knew.”

“And you made yourself a target on purpose.”

Kayla nodded.

The doctor’s expression softened into what looked like the beginning of a smile, followed with a slow, gentle shake of her head. She replied, “I honestly have never had another student do that. I admire you for that. And I want us to work together to see if we can do a better job of dealing with bullying.

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