>> Jen smiled back up at Brendan, but was still frightened. What if
>> this guy was going to beat someone up after the principal left?
Seeing Jennifer's worried look, Alipang quickly told Chilena in Tagalog, "Please tell her not to be afraid of this creep; I can squash him like a grape, and he knows I can."
Mrs. Lewiston shook her head gravely. "Oh, Edward, I am disappointed in you. I thought you had made more progress in your counselling, than to choose this unproductive means of self-realization."
Alipang, understanding exactly why Brendan had taken his present stance, gave him an inconspicuous thumbs-up sign.