Page 78 of Rewrites of the Heart

She certainly didn’t allow any disadvantage on her part to stop her. She pulled the front of the woman’s shirt, bringing Rain just a bit closer so she could stare into her eyes. Then she shouted in her face.

“I love Kenn Cooper. You need to butt out of my life. You’re not in this portion of the novel anymore, babe. I’m writing this book. Go back to wherever you came from and find yourself someone else, anyone else.”

She let go of Rain, who seemed to be shocked. Before the woman could recover, though, JJ pulled her by the shirt again. “Anyone but Dr. Chare. Cause he’s way too nice for you. You even think about meddling with him, and I’ll make you regret it.”

JJ pushed Rain into the chair. The woman bounced off it and fell on the floor.

“This is beginning to get old,” Rain said. “And I’m tired of it. And I’m tired of you. You’re gonna pay, you little witch.”

She shot up from the floor at lightning speed.

“What did you call me, you tramp?” JJ asked.

****

“Come on, Blake, we have to help JJ.” Blake felt himself being pushed out the booth and led to the area where the two women were arguing. He intentionally kept a safe distance from them.

Dr. Chare jumped from his seat and strode over to them. He nudged Blake.

“The entertainment here is fascinating. But I can’t stay for it. If I actually witness it, I’d have to reprimand someone. However, if I only receive the hearsay version, I don’t have to believe it and, therefore, don’t have to dole out any suspension.”

He turned on a heel, then looked back. “Have a great time. This should prove very interesting.” Blake watched as the professor beelined for the exit.

“I didn’t know that old man could move that fast,” he said, with a bit of awe.

“And this is for pushing me in Kenn’s office,” Rain said. His attention immediately returned to the argument.

Rain pushed JJ into a table where two coeds sat. They screamed and jumped as lattes splashed onto their designer jeans and sweaters. JJ lay there a moment. She watched as Rain approached, then pulled both legs back and used the leverage to push her into a booth several feet away.

The coffee that had been on that table splashed everywhere, and a plate of Feynman Fries with cheese flew into the air. The guys at the booth whistled.

JJ got to her feet and walked over. She looked down at Rain. “Kenn is off the market. Permanently, you witch.”

He grinned. “What an adventure,” he told Alex.

“Please tell me this wasn’t what you had in mind when you told JJ to go fight for Kenn’s love,” Alex said, sounding concern.

“Not quite. But you have to admit this is interesting.”

The customers started cheering.

“My money’s on JJ,” said one student.

“Nope, that biker chick’s going to knock the crap out of her.” He watched as the man pulled out his wallet. “Here’s a five. The biker girl wins.”

His companion pulled out his own wallet and set a five-dollar bill down. “JJ. All the way.”

He saw the crowd’s increasing participation and couldn’t resist the temptation. He ran to the area where the baristas worked, leapt over the counter, and took control of the microphone normally used to announce completed orders.

“JJ ‘Micro Munchkin’ Spritely has just taken a nasty fall.” His words echoed throughout the café. “But wait. She’s back on her feet, fire in her eyes, and hatred in her heart. And she’s headed straight for Rain, the Heartbreak Kid.”

The crowd reacted to his commentary, which only encouraged him. “Micro Munchkin grabs the Heartbreak Kid by the arm.” He paused. “What’s she doing now? No, no it doesn’t appear she’s going to throw the Heartbreak Kid down as you might expect.”

His voice raised an octave as he excitedly reported on the details. His hair danced wildly to the movements of his head, which were coordinated with the action of the two women.

“No, she’s biting her arm with all the tenacity of an English bulldog.”

The loud, raucous approval of the crowd drowned out Rain’s cry of pain.

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