Page 2 of Cole
“Thanks for your help,” said Ham. The sheriff nodded, walking away from them. “How’s the hand?”
“It’s definitely broken, Ham. We need to get x-rays and we’ll cast it for him,” said Doc. The Couvillion brothers stepped out of the General Store, looking at Cole. Both were in their late teens, distant cousins of the Robicheauxs.
“He okay?” he asked.
“He is, thank you for calling us.”
“Of course. I hated to see the poor guy hurtin’ so bad. Nice swing by the way,” he said winking at Cole. Cole smirked at him, then looked humbly at his father.
“Sorry, Dad.”
“Don’t be. You protected your sisters and that’s what we always ask you to do. What that boy said was vile andno gentlemen should ever use those words with a lady, and especially with a little girl.”
“I don’t know why he pushed me like he did,” said Cole. “He’s older but I’m much bigger than he is.”
“You’re bigger than an eighth grader?” asked Doc.
“Yes, sir. I think something is wrong with him. He’s awful small,” said Cole. A few moments later the sheriff walked over with the boy and his parents who’d been sitting in their truck.
“My son has something to say,” said Mr. Moore.
“Sorry I said that,” he said looking down. Mr. Moore lifted his son’s chin and stared at him.
“That’s not how we apologize. Look at Cole and apologize for what you said about his sisters.”
“I’m sorry Cole. I didn’t mean it.” Cole just nodded but the boy’s parents were distressed.
“We didn’t raise him like this. He’s been rebellious lately and we’re not sure why.”
“Your son is a bit smaller than most boys his age,” said Doc. “Maybe that’s bothering him.”
“See! He sees how little I am!” exclaimed the boy.
“We know he’s small,” said Mrs. Moore. “Our pediatrician said he just needs more protein. I don’t know how I can get him more protein when he hardly eats.”
“Good news for you,” said Doc looking at the boy, “we run a clinic up the road. Happy to do some tests and see what we can find.”
“I have insurance,” said Mr. Moore.
“We’ll file the insurance, no problem,” said Doc. “Sometimes there are strange things hiding that people miss. Are your other children of normal size?”
“Yes, sir. A boy who is seventeen, six-feet tall already. Our daughter is twenty and normal in every way.”
“Meet me at this address tomorrow,” said Doc handing them the address. “We’ll do some tests and see if we can’t help you out.”
When the Moore’s left, the team took Cole back to the clinic to x-ray and set his hand, then put a cast on him.
“It’s kinda cool,” he smirked. “Can you sign it, Doc?”
“Sure,” he laughed.
In fact, all the men signed it, and the girls thought it was cool too, signing their names. When his mother walked toward him, he figured he was going to be in for it. Instead, she knelt down and signed the cast.
“You know, Cole, my brothers protected me my whole life. They never let anyone touch me, sit by me, or say anything about me. It wasn’t until I met your dad that they finally backed off a bit. I love, no that’s not right, I adore the fact that you protected your sisters. I’m not in favor of breaking noses but sometimes you have to let a guy know your boundaries.”
“You’re not mad at me?” he asked filled with hope.
“No, honey. I’m proud of you and so are your sisters. They told me the whole story and how Arnie says things like that a lot.”
