Chapter 6: What Diane Did Next
I called the school Monday morning and asked to speak with the principal.
Her name was Mrs.
Alderton.
I'd met her once, at an enrollment meeting three years ago.
She had a reputation for being fair, which in my experience meant she was fair to everyone equally, including the people who didn't deserve it.
"Mrs.
Alderton," I said, "my daughter was publicly mocked during Friday's talent show.
I'd like to know what the school's response has been."
A pause.
"We're aware of the situation."
"What does that mean, specifically?"
"It means we're looking into it."
"There's a video," I said.
"The incident is documented.
Brooke pointed at my daughter's face and made a comment about her appearance in front of the entire school.
That's targeted harassment."
"We take all of these situations seriously."
"I'd like to know what action is being taken."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
"Mrs.
— I'm sorry, I want to make sure I have your name correctly—"
"Carol.
Eliza's mother."
"Carol.
I want to be transparent with you.
I received a call this morning from another parent.
She expressed concern that the video circulating online is creating a hostile environment — for all the students involved."
I sat very still.
"Which parent?"
"I'm not able to share that."
"Was it Diane?
Brooke's mother?"
Silence.
"Mrs.
Alderton," I said, "my daughter was the one mocked.
On a stage.
In front of her entire school.
If someone is now calling you to reframe this as a problem caused by the video rather than by the behavior that created it, I think you need to hear that clearly."
"I understand your concern—"
"I don't think you do.
Because if the school's response to documented harassment is to treat the documentation as the problem, then we have a much bigger issue than one comment at a talent show."
The line was quiet for a moment.
"I'd like to schedule a meeting," Mrs.
Alderton said.
"With both families."
"Fine," I said.
"I'll be there."
I hung up and sat at the kitchen table.
Both families.
Diane would be in that room.
Smiling.
I thought about what Eliza had told me — that Diane had made comments about appearance at pickup, at the spring concert, in front of other children.
I hadn't thought to ask Eliza who else had been standing there.
I picked up my phone and texted Marcus.
*Can I ask you something?
Were you at the spring concert last year?*
He replied within a minute.
*Yeah.
Why?*
*Did you ever hear Brooke's mother say anything to the kids?
About appearance, or looking a certain way?*
A longer pause this time.
*More than once,* he wrote.
*She said stuff like that pretty regularly at school events.
I always thought it was weird but I figured it wasn't my place.*
Then, after a moment:
*Do you want me to write it down?
What I remember?*
I looked at that message for a long time.
*Yes,* I wrote back.
*Please.
Everything you remember.
Dates if you can.*
Three minutes later, another text arrived.
Not from Marcus.
It was from Diane.
*Carol — I think we got off on the wrong foot Friday.
I'd love to have coffee and clear the air before this gets any bigger than it needs to be.
Just us.
No lawyers, no school.
Woman to woman.*
I read it twice.
May you like
*Woman to woman.* Like we were on the same side of something.
I didn't reply.
