Part 5
“Beth, let me introduce you to Janice and Ellen Baxter. Ladies, this is Beth Winslow.” All the ladies greeted each other politely.
Helen continued, speaking to Beth, “Ellen’s son Carl has also been a handful, not unlike your Steven.”
Hesitant, Ellen looked like she wanted to speak, but Janice cut her off, “That’s right. My young nephew Carl has been quite the problem child. Unfortunately, his no-good father was always a weak little man of no consequence. When I finally convinced my sister she’d be better off without him, I was happy to step in with a firmer hand to help get my nephew under control. He’s gotten into so many difficulties at school… I’m certain it was only a matter of time before he got into more serious problems!” She looked pointedly at her obviously younger sibling for an affirmation, “Isn’t that right Ellen?”
Ellen finally spoke, “well yes, I certainly want the best for Carl, and his behavior has definitely worsened a bit after his father was out of the picture.” Looking at her sister nervously, she added, “but Janice was so kind to help us out financially… I’m sure this will be the best for Carl in the end.”
Janice jumped back in, “I happen to know the superintendent of Carl’s school district very well. Fortunately, I was able to gain her support and endorsement to place Carl in the SFI program. Strictly speaking, he didn’t meet all the criteria at first… they said his record was ‘borderline.’ Still, I could see more trouble coming and I worked closely with the school district and Helen here to get him enrolled in SFI!” She added triumphantly, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”
Helen explained, “the courts don’t always have to get involved before we take a young man into our program. Although it’s less common, if the family feels strongly enough, we can enroll a boy into SFI just by working with the family and the school. Of course, the family must be able to support the expense.” Helen then gave Beth a knowing look, “and there is a premium enrollment fee when we accept boys into SFI outside of the juvenile justice system.” Helen concluded, but we go by the mantra that ‘Families Know Best!’”
Beth was an astute woman, and she immediately sensed the power disparity in the two Baxter sisters. Despite herself, she nodded in approval. She saw the business potential here, and clearly Janice had the means and the leeway to call the shots. Janice’s nephew Carl may not have been an obvious candidate for SFI, but his aunt’s money and influence clearly put him over the hump!
An electronic chime sounded, and all the ladies turned their attention down to the salon stations below.
Fascinated, Beth watched as a sliding door opened below. Moments later, three burly matrons entered the room along with a teenaged boy Beth assumed was Janice’s nephew Carl! The boy was securely strapped down into what looked like a motorized salon chair on wheels. Beth watched with keen interest as they wheeled the squirming teenager over to the middle salon station.
Topic: SFI (Read 5594 times)
