Happy Valley - Happy New Year? -Part 4

Mike is in the bushes outside where Hillary is staying next door
“Hmm she doesn’t look upset. Damn it didn’t work she better stay away from my Dad or I’ll make her sorry.” Mike says as he watches as T.J ushers Jenny inside outside.
“Gee what happened to Jenny? It looks like she had a black eye. Were those kids tormenting her again? I thought I fixed that when I beat up that girl.” Mike thinks aloud then sneaks in after them to find out what is going on
As T.J and Jenny go in they interrupt Tad and Dottie who are kissing on the sofa. Tad and Dottie look embarrassed as Dottie does up her top two buttons of her shirt
“Well that was good. Mom and Dad were making out. Stupid Jenny you’re interrupting it. We don’t want Hillary to win.” Mike says under his breath
“What are you doing here T.J. not that I don’t want to see you but…”Tad says then seeing Jenny Tad looks shocked and surprised
“Jenny how did you get a black eye?”
“It’s a long story.” T.J. begins
“Tell your mother and I what happened to Jenny. Now please.” Tad implores
“She got beat up at school.” T.J. explains “The school called me because they couldn’t reach either one of you. You didn’t tell me I was the emergency number.”
“Sorry it slipped my mind T.J. but thank goodness you could go help your sister. Are you okay Jenny?” Tad asks then looking closely he grows angry
“Who did this to you?” Tad asks shocked
“Some girls at school.” Jenny answers
“She has a concussion Dad it was really bad don’t let her pretend it was nothing. Apparently this has been escalating over the last few weeks .At first it was just tripping Jenny in the hall then it was taking her school work and pens. Then they tormented her in class right in front of the teacher calling her names. The teacher couldn’t deal with it so she did nothing. Then today they swarmed her. Ten girls some pulled her hair and one of them punched her .When she fell to the ground they kicked her. While all around children clapped and cheered. They got a one day suspension for doing all that so I called the police Dad and took Jenny to the hospital to get checked out.”
“Oh Dios mío Jenny mija.”Dottie states horrified
“You did exactly right son.” Tad says
“They interviewed several students took videos from several students phones of the incident. They interviewed Jenny as well at the hospital. Three of the girls have been charged with assault causing bodily harm. Another one of the girls also had another charge laden against her of attempted murder.” T.J says “They actually laughed they thought it was funny but they won’t find reform school funny.”
“Oh my God she was going to kill Jenny?” Dottie says covering her mouth
“No actually it was the reason for the swarming that Jenny was scared to tell. She recorded the one girl bragging that the reason why the teacher had been off sick the day before was because she had smeared peanut butter on the doorknob of their classroom. That girl knew the teacher had a severe peanut allergy. They were determined that Jenny had to be threatened not to tell and they didn’t even know about the recording.” T.J. explains “The police are going to address the school about violence and bullying but Jenny’s out of there. She’s not safe in that school. You can’t let her go back there.”
“I don’t plan on it.” Tad says “What about Mike though he goes to the same school is he safe?”
“I’m fine Dad honest.” Mike says coming in “I’d let you know if I wasn’t but Jenny isn’t telling any of you the whole story
“You be quiet Michael.” Jenny states urgently
“You have to tell them Jenny. Be brave it won’t matter to them they love you.” Michael insists urgently
“We love Jenny no matter what. Now tell us. Please.” Tad begs
“I……….”Jenny begins
“It’s okay Jenny whatever it is tell us honey.” Dottie implores
“I’m sixteen now but it’s hard you know? You try to fit in but sometimes it doesn’t work so hot.” Jenny states reluctantly
“Yes, to be a teenager is hard but harder still nowadays. Peer pressure comes from everywhere and the cyber bullying is ridiculous.” Dottie states trying to sound knowledgeable
“You have no idea.” Jenny admits “you should see what they posted on my Spacebook and what they texted to and about me.”
“You should show us Jenny we can nail them for that too. Cyber bullying is a crime.” T.J. states
“You don’t understand none of you understand.” Jenny states
“Just tell them Jenny.” Michael implores
“You know that show Glee where they slushy the choir members? “Jenny begins
“Yes.” Both Dottie and Tad reply
“Do you know the character’s names?” asks Jenny
“Yes there is Finn and Quinn, Rachel, Mercedes, Mike, Brittany, Kurt and Santana.” Tad states rattling them off
“Did you see the recent episodes with Santana?” Jenny asks
“No I missed a few.” Tad says as Dottie says the same
“Well Brittany says Santana is Lebanese but Santana thought she was speaking of her orientation” Jenny states
“What has that got to do with you?” Asks Dottie
“She saying she’s a lesbian Dottie.” Tad states
“Yes Daddy I am.” Jenny admits
“You can’t be that is sin against God.” Dottie states “We can find you a camp where they can fix you.”
“Dottie what is wrong with you. She didn’t choose to be this way. She was born this way. You don’t change your sexual orientation.”
“This is forbidden it’s in the bible.” Dottie spouts “The church forbids this. She’s still young enough we can help her change her ways.”
“Did I ever really know you Dottie? This is my daughter. I love her just the way she is I don’t want to change her or try to make her into something she’s not how could you?” Tad says to Dottie angrily
“You are mistaken Thaddeus. You didn’t grow up with in the church no wonder you don’t know that we should protect her from this evil taint.” Dottie states
“Mother do you hear yourself? You need to be educated. You are just as bad as those girls who bullied Jenny. Being gay is not a choice .As for all those misguided souls who quote the bible like yourself, God made us in his own image. So tell me how can anyone who is gay be wrong or mistaken. God is in all things and in everyone of us so how can Jenny’s feelings be wrong.” T.J. states
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Dottie states
“I knew it I knew you wouldn’t love me anymore. See Mike I wish I wasn’t right. She’s just like all the others. She doesn’t understand this is the way I’ve always felt. Why did you make me tell her?” Jenny asks crying
“Dos mios I love you Jenny. You are my little girl but this….”Dottie says
“But this is something you can’t accept.” Jenny states bitterly crying silently as she goes to her room
“How could you Dottie? That little girl has been to hell and back .I’m not sure I can ever forgive you for this.” Tad says
“You won’t have to I’m leaving. I’ll be back tomorrow for my things.” Dottie states angrily as she throws on her coat grabs her purse and then slams the front door
“Go after her Dad.” T.J. says “Make her understand.”
“I can’t son. She has to realize her behaviour has harmed Jenny. She needs time to think about this.” Tad says
“I don’t think so Dad I think you should go after her.” T.J. states
“I can’t …”Tad states regretfully starring at the front door
Mike is down the hallway starring at Jenny's door.
"Now I did it they are over and it's my fault." he mutters
Fadeout