[Joe 6-pack]

"Also maybe she was “horrified” as this dirty dancing/sexual act might have looked like rape to her."

That is the most reasonable reply thus far...and yet I think if that was the fact, remaining rational and keeping a level head would have been in the best interests of the woman, her children and the victim.

BTW, I'm not saying I've never been horrified or I've always been able to cowboy up through every situation I've eveer been in. It's precisely because I haven't that I can attest to the fact that when the person in charge (in this case, mom) overreacts, panic quickly infects those about them (in this case the kids), and seldom does it do much good for anyone involved.

[Blue Highway]

Well maybe "horrified" brings up different images as to what it means to them. Horrified to me isn't an irrational fear or panic at all. Horrified might be as subtle as making you stop in your tracks as what you witnessed disturbed you beyond recognition. I wouldn't condone people to be drama queens either, but I'm not one to turn a blind eye to situations like this as I'm sure you're not either.

A good example is a "horriying" car crash. You weren't scared to your wits, and driving erratic because of the sight you have seen, but you might be sick and nausiated.