Page 55 of Breakaway Heart
“Haha, Randy Jackass, what a loser!”
Now my blood really began to boil over, and I couldn’t help myself as the words rose up and came out.
“What the actual FUCK!?”
The laughter around the table abruptly stopped. Like those scenes in the movies where the stranger walks into a local bar and everyone stops and stares at them. Except I was the stranger, and they were all staring at me.
“Well, I can see Randy’s picked another winner,” Carol said witheringly, sighing and standing up from the table, collecting the plates to take away, even though no one had finished eating.
The oaf brothers gave each other a wicked look of amusement, while Frank Jackson had turned an odd beetroot color and was looking at me in deep contempt.
I looked over to Randy, hoping he would catch on and join my anger and stand up to them.
“Sorry, Pa,” he almost squeaked. Then he stood from the table, “We should get going, Lucy.”
Frank didn’t reply. He just looked at us both with malice. What could I do other than follow Randy from the table and out of the house?
“You shouldn’t have done that,” he said when we got outside.
“Randy! They were acting like monsters. How can you just take that?”
“Been dealing with it my whole life, Lucy. I told you they were difficult.”
“Don’t you want to say anything to them?”
“I tried, once or twice. All it got me was a thrashing. Then, when I thought I was too big for that, I got a tongue-lashing instead. And that’s why, Lucy. That’s why I can’t let anyone in.”
“Look. Randy. I know bullies. They’re weak and sad, and the only thing that makes them feel powerful is to try and bring down people who remind them how lame they are.”
Randy’s head slumped, unable to meet my eye. “I’m sorry, Lucy.”
“What for?”
“For bringing you here.”
I watched him for a moment, disappointed.
“You don’t have to be,” I said.
He raised his head and frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You said you never backed down. If it’s true, then this doesn’t have to end like this.”
He looked pained, like it was the last thing he wanted. But I knew, right then, it was what he needed.
“It’s time to go and take control of the game, King.”
Hearing me call him that name brought on a spark of recognition. Of something inside, flickering into life. Then a look of steel and determination took the place of the scared little boy in front of me.
“You’re fucking right.”
Frank Jackson was now standing in the doorway, his arms crossed defiantly as he leaned on the doorframe and looked over at us. Randy turned and started toward him.
“Don’t think you’re welcome back in here, you or your girlfriend with the potty mouth.”
“Pa. You be quiet now.”
Randy was suddenly larger than he’d been since we arrived, towering over Frank, who seemed to shrink a little in his shadow and under his glowering expression.
