The Book
when Robbie Tatchett grabbed her book it was like he grabbed me and I exploded off the porch
so fast he didn't even have time to dodge and I pushed him hard in the middle of his back, my other hand reaching out for her book
Robbie sprawled out on the road
how to describe the righteous fury that stood up upon my lips and made the day blank, nothing but a burning white?
an avenging angel, I would have said
afterwards my whole body trembled and I watched Robbie run, no bigger than Jessie anyhow, and felt only shame
and maybe a sneaking pride
Jessie didn't say anything nor did I. In the quiet we walked up the hill together, Mother's piano playing growing louder and louder. I listened to her breaths pull deeper and louder as we bent into the hill. And she listened to mine.