Su's eyes were huge. She'd never seen me fight before although lord knew I scrapped with some boys from the town from time to time. We didn't have have much to do, and sometimes we were stupid. As I gathered her into my arms, I was thankful for all the times Rex, and I had squared off.
Su just sobbed though, and it broke my heart to hear it.
"Are you all right? Did he hurt you?"
He had hurt her, of course. I wasn't talking about getting hit though, and we both knew it.
"No, Jack. He didn't have time. He just slapped me and pushed me and...he tore my dress, and I think I have some splinters in my back from the goddamn barn."
Su laughed suddenly with a trace of hysteria, and I laughed with her a bit, feeling relieved that she was all right. I kissed her gently on the head, then sighed.
