You know, on further consideration, that was probably a bad idea. Not only did I, I mean, Mary, make this worse, but she's leaping to the aid of a boy. Boy's, I've learned, don't like being defended by a girl.

Oh. And you may note that while Mary is in sixth grade, the bully here is substantially taller than her. He's in sixth grade, too. The elementary school is nowhere near the junior or senior high. (The other boy, on the other hand, is a couple grades below Mary.)

Many good wishes for the new year that has just started. ^_^ This year will also bring great changes for Mary.