Crow let out a fake gasp.” No..... look, she really is a poodle. Only dogs would dress like that...” He flicked my silky skirt.
Now I was just plain mad. I stomped on his foot.“ Don’ t call me names!” He leered. Leaned in close.“ You can’ t make me do things....” The last word was deliberately emphasized.“ Poodle.”
As if that were a cue, suddenly all the boys piled on. The jabbered around me, guffawing and jabbing me with filthy fingernails. They stomped on my toes. The smell of their breath sent me reeling. I started to cry. Maybe I really wasn’ t cut out for this kind of life.
Suddenly, a voice cut in.“ What’ s going on, boys?” All the guys scattered. Colored Eyes grinned nervously.“ Well, Ms. Sheriff, we-”
I was so relieved to hear a“ Ms.” that I started crying all over again. A mohawked guy next to me snarled into my ear,” Quit it. You’ re going to get us all into trouble.” But the sheriff had already seen. I heard the steely-sharp edge in her voice as she spun around slowly.“ Boys.... WHAT. DID. YOU. DO?” Her eyes bored into them, grazing shoulders and making several of the gang flinch. A couple muttered something. She glared holes into them. She suddenly barked an order.“ Get out!”
A limping gang member protested.“ But, sheriff-”
The sheriff turned to look at him.“ Hmm... Billy, I just happen to know your mother. And I know for a fact that you should be in bed right now, resting your foot... maybe I should tell your mother where you really are?”
Billy shook his head quickly.” No, sheriff.”“ Good. Now what are you folks waiting for? Get moving!” The boys disappeared. I quivered as she twirled around and looked at me. I was sure she was going to slap me or something. She just stared. And then said gruffly...” You want some soda?”
I studied her as we walked down to the main store. Long dark brown hair, clear green eyes in a makeup-less face. A long, confident stride. I was in awe. All the girls I ever met back at home were sissies. Not like this girl.
Without breaking her stride, she asked,“ So really why are you here?” Well, that was not expected. I started to stammer out a reply, but she silenced me with her hand.“ No lies. Tell me.” I knew made-up stories would not work in this case. I stared out over the vast plains.“ I don’ t want to talk about it.”
She was silent for a while too. Then she said flatly,” I saved you from the boys back there.” She looked over me disdainfully.“ If not for me, you would still be out there getting poked to death.” Swinging open the cafe door, she stepped up to the counter and ordered 2 sodas.“ What else do I have to do?”
I broke down. I told her the whole sob story. How Sylvia, our nurse, seemed so nice at first, then she started annoying Mommy. Our family was rich, and Mommy was the link. She was related to the royal family, so we got sent packets