Day 32
(Helen’s perspective)
“Well, I’ve never had to write a song before - interesting!” I said to William as we walked out of class.
“Interestingly - or maybe not - I have had to write a song before,” he replied.
“Oh, really? Do tell!”
“Hmm… sure. Hold on though, I left my iPad. Be right back.”
I shook my head as I continued walking to my car. Pulling out my phone to check the weather, I bumped into someone. “Oops. Sorry,” as I looked up.
“Well, hey! Nice to see you, Verity!” Harold rasped at me.
I looked at him - shaken, but not retreating. “It’s Helen.”
“Oh, come on. You let Willie call you Verity. You’re not going to deny me the same. Anyway, I saw that kiss the other day. Pretty nice, but you and I could blaze. C’mon, let’s give it a try.”
I swallowed my lunch again as it tried to come up. “Nope. Get out of my way.”
“You know, you really should be more friendly to me.”
I shifted left - Harold blocked. I shifted right - the same.
“You’re not going anywhere until I get my kiss,” he said, as he grabbed me. “I bet you’ve never been kissed like this before,” both hands on my arms, digging in, holding me. He put his lips on mine and pressed.
(William’s Perspective)
I reemerged into the sunlight after retrieving my iPad. Verity had gone toward her car, and I could see her being blocked by Harold. I made my way toward them when two younger guys moved in front of me.
“Out of the way,” I said.
“Come on now, Willie. Let them have their moment to shine,” laughed one of them. I tried to go around, but they blocked me. I tried to go through, but the same. I couldn’t get to Verity. I tried to push through again. Then I saw Harold grab Helen and kiss her. With renewed enthusiasm, I tried to get past, but with two there, I wasn’t going to make it.
The kiss released and Harold sneered. A hard slap from Verity as my heart cheered her on. “You go.” I thought. Then he punched her. Crumbling knees sent Verity to the ground as he continued to stand over her intimidatingly.
I gave up trying to get to Verity. There was no way around these guys. I knew if I couldn’t get to her, I’d have to get to something else — something more important to Harold than Verity. I headed toward my truck and they followed, retaining the barrier.
“Yup. Go home. Nothing for you here.”
(Helen’s perspective)
I wasn’t expecting the punch. He had gotten his kiss, the slap was even - but Harold had to win. It was who he was. The punch knocked me to the ground and he took a step toward me. He pulled his leg back as if to kick me.
As I watched from the ground with my arms up to defend my face, I saw Harold’s head turn ever so slightly as though he heard something - then a yell, and Harold was gone. I tried to stand.
(William’s Perspective)
Another swing - mirror to the ground. Another swing, another dent. I looked over at my two classmates lying on the ground holding their knees. Another swing more metal crunching.
“My motorcycle!!” Harold yelled. “What are you doing??”
I stopped swinging and turned to look at him. “Just giving it a kiss - from a real man!” As I raised the bat.
“Man, you’re nuts! I’m calling the cops!”
I looked over at Verity struggling to get off the ground. “Totally worth it.”
Harold followed my glance and put his phone away. I took another swing at his bike knocking out the headlight. “See you in class, Harry.”
(Helen’s perspective)
I struggled to my feet in time to see Harold take off on his damaged motorcycle and William heading my way.
“I’m fine. I’m okay.” I said before he even got to me. “I had it all under control.”
“I know you did,” he said. Then he winced. “Let’s get you over to my truck for a minute.”
Truck-side, William pulled out a cloth from his aid kit and gently wiped my mouth where I could taste the blood pooling. I looked up at him. Then over at the two “eights” I noticed on the first day of class still lying on the ground. Wincing as the cloth found it’s mark, I gingerly spoke. “I didn’t need your help.”
“Yeah, no. That wasn’t helping you. I was getting in some batting practice. I have a game on Friday.”
I tried to grin, but my face hurt.
“Can I take you home? I can come back for your car with a friend and we’ll drop it off for you - if you trust me with your address.”
My pride wanted to say no, but in this moment, as William was tending to my wounds, emotionally, it was just easier to say yes - with a twist.
“Okay, but I don’t want to go home. Can you drop me at the coffee place about a mile that way? I want to stop in and see my dad,” as I pointed sort-of east-ish.
“Sure. Anything you want.” He said.
(William’s Perspective)
I asked if she wanted me to take her home, and she said she’d rather go to a coffee place down the road. I was up for whatever would make her feel better. She took a seat in the truck as I tossed the bat in the back.
As I buckled, she asked, “So what’s up with the bats? You just carry them around with you? What are you, bat-man?”
“Haha - no. I coach little league on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Were in season now, so I generally have some equipment in the bed.”
“Oh, I see. I guess it came in handy today.”
“Sure did!” And we headed out.
(Helen’s perspective)
Hopping out of the truck, I told William I’d see him in the morning, and I ran in to see my dad. I went to our usual table and he greeted me.
“Oh! What happened, honey? Are you okay?” He asked as I sat down.
A moment of reflection - my head fell to my arm on the table. Tears began to stream, and the pen fell from my fingers to the floor - tears streaming on to my journal, soaking the page. “Oh, Daddy! I wish you were here!”