Chapter 1: Inside the Nurse’s Office

“Alright, I’ve finished examining you, Beatrice. It’s time for your explanation.”

Lauren Pollard, RN, had been working in the administrative offices of Abe Fortas High School for several years. In that span of time, she had seen all kinds of problems endured by the students, ages fourteen through eighteen.

This time, the evidence was signs of physical abuse. Beatrice Loomis was in the eleventh grade; she had nothing unusual in her records, and her grades were fine, a “B” average. There were no prior contacts with the nurse’s office for any reason.

“Please, call me Bea, and I can’t tell you anything.”

“Bea, you know I’m a registered nurse. You’re here because you were seen in the locker room with those welts on your buttocks. You know whoever did this to you should be held responsible. And, you know the beatings will continue if you don’t take action.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t talk about it.”

Her eyes were spilling tears, but her voice was steady and firm.

“Look, Bea, I promise you, you have options. No outsiders need to know about your private business.”

She shook her head, angry, and dismissive.

“I’m not stupid, Ms. Pollard. You must report abuse, or you lose your job and your license. I need to think about this. I’ll come see you tomorrow after home room, and we’ll talk. That is all I’m going to say today, so please give me a hallway pass and we will talk tomorrow, I promise.”

That evening at six o’clock, Dale Loomis walked through the connecting door from the garage into his kitchen. Seated at the kitchen table were his wife, Lynn, son, Dale (Jr.), and daughter, Bea. They were naked, according to his permanent house rules.

They were all obviously upset and nervous, which surprised him. Even more than usual, they were all careful to avoid putting their eyes on him.

He was instantly suspicious.

“What’s going on? What have you done now?”

Lynn tried to placate him; she should have known better.

“It wasn’t her fault; some girl at school saw her butt and told a teacher.”

“Told a teacher? Told them WHAT?”

“You should show him, Bea.”

Visibly trembling, Bea stood and faced away from her father, showing him several welts and some bruising on both left and right cheeks.

“You stupid bitch! Why didn’t you stay covered?”

He advanced on the girl, who he outweighed by 120 lbs., as she turned back towards him. He cocked his arm back, about to slap her cruelly, but at the last moment, he changed his mind and turned.

His open hand blasted into the side of Lynn’s face, knocking her out of her chair onto the hard vinyl floor. Loud crying filled the kitchen as he casually took his seat.