Tricky Heart (Wattys 2024)(English)

Chapter 12 - It is Walkgirl's turn.

I still can't believe that Mom did such a thing. Having Paul's mother read my story was the worst thing she could have done to me.

Crumb stretches on the bed.

I stroke her little head. "I can always count on you."
You can't even read. You're perfect.

"Meow."

"Yes, I know! You are very pretty. Everyone knows that."
You're the only one who can bring back my smile.

"Meow."

You're right. Mom thought it was a good opportunity for me, but she had to ask me first.

"You are a smart cat." I stroke her back and she goes belly up.

"Who is the most beautiful cat in the world?" I scramble her with my hands.

"Meow."

"It's you. I know, I know." I smile.

I have to pull myself together. I want to write that story. Dad would be proud of me.

I want to keep writing in that notebook he had given me.
I get out of bed and walk to the desk. I caress its left side: the roughness of a chip under my fingers gives rise to a shiver that runs down my spine.

It jumps to my mind, like a flash, Dad on the stairs: he carries the desk with his hands; he is about to enter my room, taking measurements with his gaze. Everything looks perfect and... Bam! He slams it on the edge of the door.

But how is this possible? There was a meter of space. This story still makes me laugh.

I open the drawer and the notebook where I make notes for stories is still there. No one has touched it. The last time I took it out... It was on Mom's birthday, actually.

I pick up the notebook, flip through it and get to the last few pages I had written on.

I don't know whether to write now. It is night, maybe I should write tomorrow when I have a little more energy.
It has been a busy day!

A noise from the street breaks the silence.
What was that?

I approach the window: in Lucas's house someone is arguing.

"Did you take my money?"
Maybe it's Lucas's dad.

"Stop it, dad. Please. She didn't take it."

"Shut up, you! I'm talking to your mother."

"Really, Martin! I didn't take anything."

"You didn't take anything? And where did the money go that was in the drawer, huh?"

"I don't know."

Their screams echo in the silent street.

The voice becomes more serious. "Now I'll show you."

"Dad, stop it! Don't hurt her."

"And shut up! Then there are some for you too!"

Some shards fall to the ground and the mother begins to moan.
"You're hurting me!"

Should I call mom?

"Look at the state of you! You're still high. What did you take with my money? Methamphetamines or what?"

"Ouch! You're hurting me!"

"Dad, stop."

There is commotion: I think Lucas has intruded.
Another shard falls to the floor, and heavy friction, perhaps on the floor, gives me the idea that chairs or cabinets have been violently moved.
A dull thump: someone is slammed into the wall.

The father lets out a scream. "You asshole!"

Crashes of furniture and screams rumble from their house. A violent bang on the door makes me wince. It's getting bad. I have to call the police.

The door slams: it's open. Two big men tumble to the ground on the porch. Shoulders down, there is Lucas and, on top of him, a big man with a big belly wiggling furiously.

"So, you learn to get in the way." The big man punches him in the face. "Don't ever do that again." He slaps him on the cheek.

A woman staggers to the doorway and throws herself at the man. She squeezes him hard, but he is too big to block.

Lucas's father shrugs her off and gives her a backhand that knocks her to the floor. The woman touches her face, makes to get up, but swerves and falls back to the ground.

I have to do something. I'm afraid the police will come too late.

Lucas gets another slap on the face. He is unable to move. His father grunts and hits him again.

I scream as loud as I can. "Enough!"

Lucas's father turns to me.
He stops.
Oh, no, he saw me.

From Paul's house, a slender figure starts running toward them. "Stooop."

It's Paul! He has a baseball bat in his hand. What does he want to do?

My heart beats in my throat, the big man gets up, Paul approaches. He's a few steps away, and he loads the bat. He wants to hit him. My body is paralyzed and I don't think I can feel my face anymore. I have goose bumps and my breathing is labored. I want to scream, but I don't know how to do it anymore.

Paul is two steps away, delivering a blow that cuts through the air.

Lucas's father parries with his forearm. "Ouch!"

Paul charges another blow, but that beast shortens the distance and grabs his baseball bat with both hands. Paul can't move, he struggles hard, but the man is too big for him.

"You must learn to mind your own business! You and my clueless son."

Paul kicks him between the legs.

"Ouch!" Lucas's father bends in two and collapses to the ground. "B-bastard. Ouch!"

Paul runs toward Lucas. "How are you?"

From here, I can't hear what he says. The big guy moves his head, though, and rolls onto his stomach on the ground. He is alive and not unconscious.

"Mrs. Donovan, how are you?"

Lucas's mother I don't think she said anything: she is sprawled on the ground and can barely get on one elbow.

I yell out the window. "Look out!"

The beast grabs Paul's shirt and tosses him away like he's a twig.

Paul.

Lucas's neighbors turn on the lights.

I shake my head and regain control of my body. I place the notebook on the desk.

I can't just sit here and do nothing. I have to do something. Paul did not hesitate to take to the streets to help his friend. Now it's my turn. I have to do something to end this fight.

I clench my fists.
It is Walkgirl's turn.