Page 12 of Renegade

I shook my head. “I’m dead serious, Patty.”

He balled his hands into fists, but remained seated on the plastic chair.

Sadie pressed her lips into a flat line. “Is that right? Well, who am I to go against doctor’s orders?”

David glanced down at his phone. “You need anything from your truck? I gotta get home; I’m helping my dad early tomorrow morning on a job.”

I hadn’t even considered that I wouldn’t be able to drive myself home. Maybe someone would pick it up and get it back to me tomorrow.

“Shoot, what time is it? I was supposed to be home by eleven!” Sadie turned to David.

“It’s ten fifty. We can give you a ride home first and then get the stuff out of your truck, Mike.”

Patrick stood up and stretched. “Why don’t you run Sadie home, David? I can take Mike to his truck and then we’ll meet you.”

I rolled my eyes.Yeah, right.Since when was Patrick helpful?

David frowned. “Are you sure?”

Patrick clapped him on the back. “Absolutely—you get her home and I’ll help Mike get whatever he needs. That way, everyone gets home on time.”

I was all set to protest when Sadie leaned down and pressed her lips to mine. “Call me tomorrow.” Then she and David were running out to his truck and the words died on my lips. Patrick could take me to prom at this point and I wouldn’t care.

We drove in silence and I replayed that kiss over and over again in my mind. So, I couldn’t drive, but maybe Sadie could come to my house. I could get rid of my mom for a few hours.

Patrick made a left when he should’ve gone right and I looked over at him. “You missed the turn, Patty.”

He didn’t respond and continued out of town.

“Yo, Patrick. Harbor’s back that way. You don’t have to take me home yourself.”

I wasn’t scared, but tense. I’d willingly gotten into a vehicle with a guy who hated me. Patrick pulled into an empty parking lot and killed the engine.

“Get out.”

I stared at him. “You’re joking, right? I can’t walk, thanks to the shit you pulled earlier.”

He pulled the keys from the ignition and jumped down, slamming the door shut behind him. I opened my door and stepped down with my left leg.What did he expect me to do—hop over to him?

“C’mon, man, let’s talk about this.”

He came up so fast that I didn’t even have time to process it before his fist was in my face. My jaw popped from the force and if I hadn’t grabbed the door handle, I would’ve gone down.

“I told you to stay away from Sadie, but you didn’t listen. Here’s a reminder.” His fist hit my stomach and the force knocked the air from my lungs.

The memory hit me as I was leaned over, gasping for my next breath.

“You’re gonna have guys that want to kick your ass—it’s just part of being a man. Your mom wants you to run and find a teacher or another adult, but I ain’t raising no pussy. You gotta fight back.”This had been said when I was ten, after I’d gotten my nose bloodied by a sixth grader on the bus ride home.

My father had come in after my mom cleaned me up and told me to stand up.“Put your fists up, Junior. Let’s see what you got.”I brought my fists up, just like they did on television. He began making quick jabs along my ribs and it didn’t matter how much I moved my arms, I couldn’t block him. My eyes had welled with tears, but I knew crying would only make things worse for me. When he knocked the air out of me, I’d remained upright, arms still held out in front of me.

“No, no, no—don’t lower your arms. Keep your right arm up, ready to strike. Use your left arm to block body shots. Watch the other guy—his eyes are gonna go where he’s aiming. Don’t waste your time with body shots. He’s just tiring himself out. When he least expects it, drive your fist under his chin, just like in baseball when you swing it out of the park. Give it everything you’ve got…”

Patrick came at me again and despite the throbbing pain running from my jaw down to my leg, I managed to hold him off. He took a step back, panting. His eyes were completely unfocused and I knew I wouldn’t get another opportunity.

I let go of the door handle and put weight on both legs. Then I swung my fist up under his chin with every bit of strength I possessed. His eyes rolled back and he went down immediately. The back of his head connected against the curb with a loud crack.

I’d done it.

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