Page 9 of The Beginning and End of Everything
Coombes inhaled a deep breath and looked down his nose at me. “Which is why the shop owner has decided to be lenient.Andwhy this has been brought to the school’s attention.”
The headteacher pushed to his feet and shook the policeman’s hand, thanking him for bringing the matter to his attention.
After the officer left, Mr. Peterson resumed his place behind his desk, folding his hands in front of him.
“I’ll suspend you for one week. This is your last chance, Brandon O’Kieffe.” His gaze swung to my ma. “I suggest you discipline your son.”
Ma gave Mr. Peterson a curt nod, her lips set in a firm line so straight it could’ve been used as a ruler. There wasn’t a word said between us as I was practically dragged to her rusted Nissan with the bumper duct-taped on. The driver’s door slammed so hard my ears rung, and I thought yelling would be better. She gripped the steering wheel and dropped her head forward with closed eyes.
“Dammit, Brandon. How could you be so stupid?” Her voice trembled.
I hated disappointing her more than anything. Ma was the most important person in the world to me. The only one who thought I was good, and I’d let her down. “I…”
“I know I can’t afford to buy you toys.” She looked at me with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
I didn’t care that I could never have the new lightsaber or a video game, but it didn’t seem fair since Dad could afford to go to the pub every day. As I grew, I came to realize he was selfish. But at that moment, all I could think of was how I couldn’t bear to see Ma cry, thinking I stole toys for myself.
“It was for Poppy,” I blurted. “I broke her Barbie, and I wanted to get her a new one.” I knotted my fingers in my lap, staring down at them.
Her palm brushed over my cheek, soft and warm. “Oh, Brandon.” Her tone was as gentle as her touch. “You’re a good boy at heart.”
“Are you disappointed?” I asked, my voice cracking with the words.
“No.”
I looked up from my wringing hands, and a fleeting smile pulled at her lips.
“Brandon.” She paused, and a deep wrinkle formed on her forehead before she clasped my hand. “Poppy Turner. She’s a sweet girl, but do you want to go to prison for her?”
The realization washed over me. Cold and heavy. “No. But she’s my friend, and I broke her doll and made her sad.”
Ma let out a long breath, then stroked her fingers over my cheek. “Now. She’s your friendnowbecause you’re children.” She tilted her head, and a sad smile touched her lips. “But one day, she’ll grow up. Girls like Poppy Turner don’t socialize with people like us, sweetheart. Trust me, she isn’t worth the suffering. Do you understand?” Her hand left my cheek, and she cranked the engine.
Her words confused me. Poppywasmy friend, but I nodded anyway to make my ma happy.
“Good. Now, try to behave yourself. For me. That snobby headteacher thinks I’m raising you in a barn.”
No, just a caravan, I thought, but I didn’t say it. The truth was, I think my ma knew she could never rein me in, but she always stood by me. No matter how much trouble I got into, she defended me. Now I look back, I think she probably felt guilty because my childhood was so messed up, and she compensated as best she could.
“I love you, Ma.”
She leaned forward and kissed my forehead. Her strong perfume got right into the back of my throat, and when she pulled away, I knew there would be a pink lipstick mark on my skin.
“I love you, too, Brandon. More than the whole wide world.” The engine grated when she shifted the gear into drive. “Now, come on. You and I have a whole week together without your Da.” She flashed a rare, mischievous smile.
When we got home,Dad was sprawled on the sofa, half-drunk with a bottle of whiskey dangling from his hand.
“Wheruva you been?” He struggled to lift his head, and his eyes crossed when he tried to focus on Ma.
Her nervous gaze darted to me, and she placed a hand on my back. “Go to your room, Brandon. Lock the door.”
I hurried to my room and closed the flimsy door, sliding the bolt into place just as the shouting started. I knew the drill well by this point. The deep timbre of my father’s voice traveled through the caravan.
“No, Des,” Ma pleaded.
“That little shit got caught stealing?”
The thud of footsteps approaching made me shrink back against the wall. My heart hammered against my ribs so hard, I could hardly breathe. I hugged my arms around me to stop myself from shaking. The bang of his fist over my door made me jump out of my skin.
