Stunned and Heartbroken
I'm stunned. My old friends I wrote about recently have found themselves at a terrible crossroads. Old Friend B. will have charges filed against her today in connection with the allegation that she offered one of her students a good grade in exchange for some act of violence against her daughter's boyfriend. I read that moments ago in her local newspaper.
That's all I know. I'm heartbroken and baffled. My husband believes this is a "world class rush to judgment." Sadly, I'm not certain that's the case. I have, indeed, known charges to be filed against people who turn out to be not guilty. No question about that. It seems unlikely to me that someone would be arrested based only on the word of a disgruntled student, though.
Old Friend B. is not a stupid woman. I can't imagine that she would make such an offer. It's ridiculous. There are so many things in jeopardy. I'm afraid she may choose to commit suicide. As a suicide survivor, I'm pretty regularly worried about that whenever something goes profoundly wrong in people's lives. Especially people I know.
So much damage has already been done. I pray that she will find the strength to get through this, no matter what the truth may be.
I don't even know what to say.
posted by: rosietulips (reply)
post date: 05.18.07 (10:42 am)
I hope things work out positively for her, and that she doesn't do any drastic to herself :-/
posted by: gillymac (reply)
post date: 05.18.07 (1:41 pm)
Okay - this is simple. The student she was joking around with is just a spiteful wee bastard because he flunked her class - and that will all become clear in time.
This does explain her going AWOL though, she must have known it was coming.
The truth will out regardless, and thats best for everybody.
posted by: mimi (reply)
post date: 05.18.07 (5:57 pm)
i don't know how to respond except to say i wish you and your friend strength and courage to deal with this terrible situation. xoxoxo
posted by: doeeyed (reply)
post date: 05.19.07 (4:56 am)
Hoping for a positive outcome for all concerned.
posted by: LadyG (reply)
post date: 05.20.07 (8:26 am)
I will pray that the truth come out in this case, very sad.
posted by: swanktrendz (reply)
post date: 05.21.07 (10:42 am)
" It seems unlikely to me that someone would be arrested based only on the word of a disgruntled student, though"Normally, I would agree with you, until...A friend of mine who taught grade 5/ 6 /7 for 30 years, was accused of inappropriate fondling, years ago. As soon as we heard the charges, we immediately 'knew' him to be guilty - who would take the word of a disgruntled student? It had to be true.The final setting involved a woman, now 23, who briefly remembered being hugged in grade 5 and thus, brushed inappropriately. Her mother encouraged her to pursue the memory (as a good mother would) My friend was on paid leave while being investigated.How do you explain to a friend that you assumed his guilt, even though you really found it hard to believe. The woman recanted as her memories progressed. Yes, she was fondled at the age of 10 - by an older brother's friend. She just recalled the uncomfortable memory, and the only 'fellow' in her life then, was her teacher.The poor gal was very apologetic, but that didn't help repair the damage caused by my inability to believe him at this time. Our friendship did not survive the fallout.
