Speak

I'm more than half way done with the book. I really like it, but some of the parts are kind of confusing.. At first I didn't understand why Mel was so afraid of Andy Evans, but then I understood. I also have a question about it: when both parents are meeting with the principal and the guidance counselor, the dad says that every time he brings Mel "up here" she won't speak, etc.. Are the parents together or divorced?