A Little Understanding

Nakillim looked into her eyes.

“You know I love you.”

“Then, why are you leaving?”

“I have to go back to tend to some family matters.”

“We need you here.”

“I’ll be back.  I promise.”

“Sure,” she said, her eyes averted, filled with tears.

“What’s this?  More of that sissy stuff?”

Jesse stared into the eyes of Lawrence.  Pratte and Harris stood behind him.

“Give it back,” Jess said.  He looked around.  At least a dozen kids sat on benches waiting for their rides home from school.

“Are you going to make me?  You’re not in the classroom, buddy.  You don’t have a teacher to go crying to.”

Jesse leaned back against the tree.

“I thought you’d run again, Jesse.  I didn’t think you’d be stupid enough to just be sitting here.”

“I’m not running from you any more.”

“That’s fine with me, geek.  It just makes it easier for me to hurt you.  No one gets me in trouble and gets by with it.”

Jesse stood.  His hand moved faster than Lawrence could see as he jerked the story back out of his tormentor’s hand.

Lawrence swung at Jesse, but Jesse blocked his hand and knocked it aside.  He didn’t hit him back; he did not want to resort to violence.  He had seen enough of violence.

“You are so dead, Man.  Pratte, Harris, hold him.”

They moved forward.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” someone said.

They paused to see who spoke.

Layne Carter strolled toward them.  When Pratte and Harris saw her, they laughed.

“You better stay out of this, little girl,” Lawrence said.  “I already owe you one for ratting us out.”

“You don’t owe anyone anything except an apology.  Leave him alone.”

“You going to make me?”

“Not me.”  She put her fingers to her mouth and whistled.  Eight kids jumped off the benches and rushed forward.  They stood at Layne’s side.

“I suggest you move on, Lawrence,” Jesse said.

“Get your hands off him.”

Pratte and Harris hesitated.

“Now!”

Several of the kids stepped forward.  Harris and Pratte backed away.  They and Lawrence stared, not quite believing what was happening.