Page 9 of Everything That Kills Me
Thomas chuckled. “You’re too fond of peanut butter. I had to buy more today.”
“Sorry.”
“Eating it by the spoonful is a bad habit.”
“I could have worse.”
“I know.”
“Did you consider doing something about my appearance?” Jack was curious. Thomas had taken advantage of plastic surgery to change the contours of his face in an attempt to fool facial recognition software.
“No. You know how to disguise yourself when you need to. Hopefully, your height will stay the same, though you have time to grow another inch or so. If you need to, you’re able to alter your hair, the way you walk and speak… Even I didn’t spot you that afternoon in Paris.”
The first time Jack had successfully evaded him on one of their exercises. Jack had taken some persuading to believe he’d actually managed it. He’d thought Thomas was lying to make him feel good. He should have known better. Thomas hadn’t even let him win games as a child. Jack wasn’t sure he agreed with that strategy. He’d struggled with the disappointment of always losing.
“What about the boy with the strange name? Zeph? You told him he should have shoved the boy back. What made you say anything?”
“It irritated me that he let the bully get away with it.”
“Because you’d have shoved back?”
“I’d have made it clear I wouldn’t be pushed around.”
“What did Zeph’s response tell you?”
“That he was used to it. He thinks he’s a victim and acts like it. He’s asking to be bullied.”
“Hmm.”
“Well, he was!”
“Did you react appropriately?”
Jack hesitated. “I sort of laughed.”
“And?”
“Pissed him off.”
“Or hurt him?”
“Both. Maybe.”
“Was that kind, to laugh?”
“He’s weak.”
“Then… Was. That. Kind?” Thomas repeated.
“No.” Jack wasn’t going to tell Thomas how conflicted he’d felt when he’d seen Zeph shoved aside, that something inside him had wanted to confront the abusers and protect him.Thatwasn’t a feeling he knew how to deal with. It had been easier to brush him and the incident aside. Though he hadn’t, had he? It was still playing on his mind.
“Think about it,” Thomas said. “There’s a time and place for compassion. Maybe that wasn’t the time and place. Boys will be boys, as girls will be girls, but laughing was the wrong response. You don’t even know this boy.”
Not yet.
“I’ve brought you up to be kind to those who need kindness. To protect those who need protection.”
“He’s clever,” Jack blurted. “He got a hundred percent in three of his GCSEs. He had to go on stage and shake the headmaster’s hand. He looked as though he’d rather have petted a snake.”
