She was as blank as canvas and less absorbent than a waxed floor. For a fifth grader, she’d better figure out how to get it together!

For example, the teacher explained to the class that next Monday was a planned snow make-up day which they would have had off, but since they were out one day this year due to snow and ice, they were going to attend. However, due to some fluke of scheduling, it would be a half-day for teacher inservice. She was happy it was a half-day, but confused. She asked the teacher, “How can they predict snow Monday?”

It is May! Average temps are 70!

That’s why he knew she would be an easy target. She’d never know what hit her. She’d be too stupid to tell on him. As long as he told her it was normal. He was much smarter, she should just believe him.

He started joking with her, meeting her eyes in class, sending her notes. It was too easy! He asked her to come over to his house, gave her his phone number, and listened for her late-night phone calls.

Soon she’d be ripe for the picking.