The Story of the Delancey Brothers

Chapter 3

Oscar sighed loudly. He was sure it was past suppertime now, and still no one had come to get him. He heard a few footsteps outside the door every now and then, which he was pretty sure were Morris', but they always went away.

Speaking of footsteps, there were some coming up to his door right now, and they weren't Morris'. He found out whose they were when his father entered the room.

Mr. Pennington sat down on the bed next to Oscar. Yer mudda an' I 're very disappointed in ya, ya know that?" he asked.

Oscar nodded his head, not looking into his father eyes.

"She neva wanted me ta teach ya how ta fight. But I thought it was in ya best interest ta learn."

Oscar nodded again, hanging his head even further.

"But I still trust ya, ya know."

Oscar snapped his head up, looking his father in the eyes.

"I do. I believe ya had a good reason fer punchin' that boy. An' even though yer mudda don't want me to, I'm gonna continue ta teach you an' Morris."

"Really?" Oscar asked.

"Yes, really. I'm also gonna give ya these," he said. Then he pulled something out of his pocket and gave it to Oscar.

Oscar had never seen anything like it before. It was a peculiar little thing made out of metal, which looked like brass, and had four holes. On top of the four holes were little blunt spikes. "What is it?"

"Those are brass knuckles," his father said. "They can be one a the most dangerous weapons when used right."

"Why are you giving them to me?" Oscar asked. "I jus' punched someone when I wasn't supposed ta!"

"Did the boy deserve it though?"

Oscar stayed silent.

"I asked ya a question, Oscar. Did 'e deserve it?"

"He was makin' fun a Morris," Oscar whispered.

"I see," his father said. He stood up. "I'll start teachin' ya how ta use the brass knuckles tamorrow. But put them in a spot where yer mudda can't find 'em. She doesn't know 'bout me givin' me ta ya!"