Silver Claws: Blood Twins

Chapter 13

13.

Wilf opened the door to a red faced man and the large boy that Rhea had sent sailing across the playground.

“Lars, here is all bruised up. He says your slip of a girl bounced him half way crost the schoolyard. I didn’t believe him, but all the other school children are backing him up.”

Wilf looked to Rhea. “You push this boy?”

“He threw a rock at me.”

“That’s not the problem,“ the red faced man said. “How can a skinny thing like that sling this bull of a boy? I think Satan is here.”

Hannah pushed up into the man’s face. “Swen Johnson. Watch yer mouth in this house. These here are innocent children. Yer boy threw rocks at my girl and she thumped him on his big behind. He’s shamed to be bested by a little girl and he gets his friend’s to fib for him. Use yer thick head. Yer boy’s a bully and always has been. If my Rhea hadn’t put him on his backside, I would’ve.”

“She pushed me and I flew into the air. I flew straight acrost that yard. I ain’t tellin’ no story. That girl is some kind of devil,” Lars shouted.

“What do you have to say Rhea?” Wilf said.

“I think that boy doesn’t want to make me mad. I told him that already.” She locked her eyes on his.

“He was surprised that Rhea pushed and he was probably off balance,” I said. “Rhea is little and skinny but she’s strong. I just think Lars and his friends can’t hardly believe a girl could push somebody that big. And Rhea was really mad when Lars threw that rock.”

“Now, see there Swen,” Hannah said. “that’s all it is. Kids makin mountains outta molehills. Lars threw a rock and Rhea pushed Lars. Let’s end it here.”

Swen glanced at Lars then raked Rhea with a long, suspicious look. “I guess that’s best.”

“And no more talk of the Devil. I won’t have it,” Hannah said her hands planted on her hips. “Don’t cross me Swen. You or yer boy.”

“Hannah, I guess if there’s a devil in this house, it’d look more like you than that skinny girl.” Swen clapped his hat on his head and left pushing Lars ahead of him.

“I’m fraid you made yourself an enemy,” Wilf said. “Them Larsens don’t forgive nor forget.”

“I can handle myself,” Rhea said.

“We know that.” Hannah was giving her a bit of a stare. “Do you know what lay low means? That’s what Johnny wants. He hinted that there were people looking for you. You think tales of a girl who threw a boy ten yards won’t be traveling to the next town and the next. Rumors got a way of flying faster than them ugly ravens. There ain’t nothing but sun, dust and gossip out here child. So you be careful what you do from now on.”

“I will,” Rhea said.

Hannah gave me the same look. “And you watch her close, you hear?”

I shrugged. “I’ll do my best. Lookin’ after Rhea is like juggling a hornet nest.”

Rhea gave me a slug in the shoulder. “I mean a pretty hornet’s nest,” I said, putting on my most insincere smile. For that I got another smack.