Billy McCorman was the school bully and all the children (and even some of the teachers) feared his wrath. All the children that is, except Lisa. Lisa’s father had taught her who and who not to fear, and Billy did not measure up to much in that take.
“Where ya goin’ li’l Lisa?” Billy’s size easily gave away the years he had spent getting through school.
She gave him a curt reply, “Home.” Then attempted to get around him and out of the school. She was quick, but Billy’s legs were longer.
“You’re in trouble, aren’t ya?” He mocked, “get to see what it’s like to be in someone like me’s shoes.”
Lisa wheeled on him, always with more backbone than he expected (it took Billy a while to figure things out), “Bug off Billy!” She stepped towards him with more menace than a young girl of her age would normally have.
“Wha’d’ya think y’re g’nn’a do squirt?!” Billy pulled himself up to his full height as he sneered down at his perceived prey, glaring at her with dull, hate filled brown eyes. She stared back with cold steely blue eyes. The space between their two small bodies seemed to spark with malice.
Billy threw the first punch, his right arm pulling back then flying forward. But before it had a chance to connect Billy found himself face down on the floor, his arm wrenched up behind his back. Lisa stood over him, her cold eyes piercing through Billy’s bravado.
Lisa tightened her grip on his arm and hissed through clenched teeth, “I said, bug off Billy.” Then something in her snapped and Billy screamed as she twisted and broke his arm.Walking home calmly, her golden hair matted with rain, Lisa had no idea just how much she took after her father.
Home never seemed more empty to Lisa. Her father had been missing (to her) for more than a week now and she could not have been more worried than she was when she walked through the front entryway of her and her father’s apartment. Her father seemed like the only person in all of Mort who did not have a TV, he always said she should study hard and leave TV to the lesser people. Right now though, she wanted one just to drown out her worries and despair.
Lisa almost did not notice the flashing orange light on her “Halloween Jack (tm)” Phone’s answering machine indicating she had received a message. Instantly she pressed down on the pumpkin head and listened intently to the rough, growing voice that issued forth.
“Talked to teacher on phone, will have BPN finished in time for parent teacher night.”
Those few words made Lisa feel better than she had felt in a long while...
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