Chapter 11

Emily Johnson surveyed the simple adobe house, contemplating how to make it more comfortable. Suddenly, rapid knocking at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Emily! Emily! Something bad happened!" a child's shrill voice called from outside.

It took Emily a moment to realize the child was addressing her. She quickly pulled the door open to find a red-faced little boy—the same one who had admired David and Tommy’s new clothes a few days ago—standing breathlessly on her doorstep.

"What's wrong?" Her heart clenched with worry.

"Come quick!" The boy stamped his foot impatiently.

Emily locked the door and followed him at a jog. Along the way, she pieced together the story: Richard, the older boy, had seen David in his new clothes and tried to snatch them, claiming that since David and Tommy often ate at his house, the clothes should count as payment.

"What?" Emily stopped mid-stride, fury flaring. This was outright bullying!

Before they even reached the scene, she heard Tommy’s heart-wrenching sobs, his voice hoarse from crying. The crowd of children parted as Emily rushed forward.

"Move!" She pushed through and saw David sitting on the ground, blood trickling from his forehead, while Tommy wept uncontrollably beside him.

A stocky boy—Richard—tried to slip away, but Emily grabbed him by the collar.

"Did you hurt my son?" Her voice was icy.

"Let me go!" The boy struggled. "I’ll tell my mom, and she’ll beat you up!"

Oh, so he was a bully and a coward. Emily scoffed. "You pick on my kid, then threaten to have your mother come after me?"

She released him, sending him stumbling to the ground. Ignoring him, she scooped David into her arms and called to Tommy, "Come on, let’s go home."

David’s forehead was still bleeding, and Emily’s chest ached. The boy was already malnourished—losing blood was the last thing he needed.

"David, does it hurt?" she asked softly.

The boy froze in her arms. His mother wasn’t scolding him for ruining his clothes—she was comforting him? He bit his lip and shook his head. "N-no."

"Sweetheart, it’s okay to cry if it hurts." She quickened her pace. "Next time, if you can’t fight back, run. If you can’t run, call for help. And if all else fails..." She lowered her voice. "Find a way to get back at them quietly."

David blinked, nodding uncertainly.

Meanwhile, Richard had already bolted home to tattle. Emily knew this wasn’t over—bigger trouble was coming.