Joan was sitting at the lunch table by herself, when Adam walked over and sat down in front of her. "Hey," he said.
"Hi," she replied.
He looked at her. "What's up?"
She shook her head. "What do you know about Charity?" she asked.
"You mean…her home life?"
Joan looked up at him. "She told you about her cutting?" she asked.
He nodded. "Only because I accidentally hit one of her burns," he said.
"Burns?"
Adam looked up at her. "Oh, you didn't know about that?"
Joan shook her head.
Adam looked over at Charity who was sitting by herself, reading as usual. He turned back to Joan. "Her mom's a drunk and a druggie," he replied. "And she hits Charity."
"Is that why she cuts herself?" Joan asked.
Adam nodded. He unwrapped his sandwich and started to eat it. "I think so, anyway," he replied.
"You didn't tell anyone about what you saw?" she asked.
He dropped his eyes. "I told someone," he replied.
"Who?"
He looked up at her. "Your mom," he whispered.
"When?"
"As soon as she got to school."
"Luke had her over last night and Kevin saw her in the bathroom cutting herself."
"So she knew before I told her?"
Joan nodded. Adam looked over at Charity and sighed. "I hope someone helps her," he replied.
Joan nodded. "I'll help her," she said.
"How?"
Joan shrugged. "You know me, I'll find a way."