When the class room was empty, and with Alan sitting in his seat in the back of the room, Karen closed and locked the door to her classroom. It looked as thought this small boy could really use a friend, and if there was anything Karen had learned in college, it was how to be a friend to men. Turning around and leaning against the door, she canted to Alan to come to her. The frightened boy slowly rose from his seat and walked to her, his head lowered as though he was accepting his punishment without question. He was still sobbing slightly, and Karen could feel her heart melting as she thought of how unhappy he must be feeling right now. He looked so miserable and lonely… When he got to within arm's reach of the lovely red-headed teacher, she gently put her hand out and drew him to her waist, gently running her fingers over the area of his head that had been hurt. She sensed that tears were once again welling up in his eyes, and she wanted to end whatever torment he was going through as soon as possible.

"Now… now, you couldn't have been hurt all that much," she soothed, stroking his lovely, childish head. "You should have stood up against the boys who pushed you out of your seat."

With his head resting lightly against her chest, Alan spoke through his sobs. "I'm too little," he said, his voice carrying all the sadness of a boy who was used to being picked on all his life. "I can't wait until I get bigger… Then I'll show them."

In spite of herself, Karen smiled at the boy's threats for the future. She could see that he would never become the physical giant he wanted to be. He would probably become only average in size, which would be all right if he had self-confidence.