Phoebe Thorne's sobs grew more and more heartbroken. Allister didn't understand a thing; he just knew his mommy was sad, so he opened his mouth wide and howled. Amanda Chapman was a mess of snot and tears, crying even more wretchedly than her mother.
The Bureau Chief looked troubled. 'I've never had to handle this kind of domestic dispute before,' he thought. 'But from the sound of it, that Brian Chapman fellow really is a piece of work. Skimping on nutrition money for a new mother? He's worse than an animal!'
"Ma'am, please, have a seat and tell me what happened. Don't get too worked up. You're scaring the children."
The Bureau Chief was at a loss. 'I'm great at chewing people out in meetings,' he thought, 'but I have absolutely no experience mediating domestic disputes. And with this weeping family of three... they look so pitiful.'
"Stan, pour a cup of tea!"
