Page 43 of Cowboy's Last Stand
She released him with a watery smile.
He went back to his cocoa.“Are you still mad?”
“I’m not happy,” she said.“I don’t want you to hit people.”
“Jason hits people if they’re mean.”
She shouldn’t have been surprised by this argument.Jason had quickly become a superhero in Marcus’s eyes, a man to idolize and emulate.“Hitting is a last resort.If someone is trying to kidnap you or hurt you, go for it.You can fight and yell for help.When you can use your words and walk away, do that.”
He finished his hot cocoa in quiet contemplation.“Was someone trying to hurt Jason?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
She hesitated before answering.“A customer at the bar.”
“Is he the firecracker man?”
“Maybe.”
Marcus looked out the window, where Jason’s shadowy figure was steeped in darkness.“Did I hurt him in his ribs?”
“He has a bruise there from the other fight.”
“I’ll say I’m sorry.”
She knew Jason didn’t want that, but it wasn’t up to him, and Marcus had volunteered.She nodded her permission before he went outside.She sat at the kitchen table and watched them through the open window.Jason accepted Marcus’s apology easily.
“Have a seat,” Jason said.
The glider squeaked as Marcus joined him.“Mom says I shouldn’t hit people.”
“I heard.”
“Do you think it’s OK to fight sometimes?”
“I think you should listen to your mother.”
Natalie smiled at the diplomatic answer.
“In your fight, did you hit first?”Marcus asked.
“No.He started it.”
“Why?”
“He was bothering a lady.I told him to leave her alone.He didn’t like that.”
“So he punched you in the face?”
“Among other places.That reminds me.Do you still have those toy soldiers?”
Marcus shook his head.
Jason removed a set of keys from his backpack to demonstrate.“If you hold something in your fist with the sharp end poking out, your punch will do more damage.”
“Cool,” Marcus said.
