Peace and Quiet (open)

[Thad Turner]

Thad kicked the soft snow in front of him and watched it fly into the air. The sun made it sparkle like diamonds. He liked winter. It reminded him of his home in Pennsylvania. Those winters were peaceful and quite. Not much stirred in the woods. He pictured it in his mind. The bare trees covered in a white dust, the green hemlocks- the only thing that weren’t brown or white, and the smoke that came from the small warm and inviting cabin where he lived. Then, he brought himself back to reality. There wasn’t that peace in the city. Oh no, there was no total silence, and very few tall hemlocks like at home.

Thad had been here for about two months now and that was one thing he couldn’t get used to- the lack of peace and quiet around this place. Sure there were days that he would walk by the river and he would block everything out, all the people, the sounds, everything. He'd stand for hours skipping stones and trying not to hear the city but it still wasn’t as peaceful as at home. He couldn’t complain though because he was the one who got himself here.

He was to blame for all his problems, and there were lots of them. First off he had no money. Why did he have no money? Because he decided to spend it all at Belmonts Pub. This only gave him another problem- a terrible headache. Another problem was that he was here in the city, and very out of place, but once again it was his fault. He was the one who left home that day and started north. He chose to come here he just didn’t know why. Last off he had no one to help him with these problems. This was only because he pushed people away. He didn’t mean to, it was just something he did.

Thad brushed the light snow off a bench before sitting down. He took in a deep breathe. Why did he cause himself so much pain? It wasn’t that he meant to it was just that he didn’t think before he acted, and he paid for that. Every day for the past two months he’d been paying for that…for the rest of his life he’d pay for it he was sure. He leaned back and closed his eyes. Though it was cold out the early sun that peaked through the clouds warmed him. This was as close to peace as he was getting today, and as long as no one bugged him he’d be fine.

[Street]

Street walked in the snow. Winter was not the time to be barefoot, but the shopkeepers had all placed their shoes inside their shops, expecting kids like Street to walk by and nick them from outside. Street had no money for shoes, she had no money for anything. Now, walking in a deserted area, she began to realize how badly she need shoes, needed money.

She had spent the small amount she had gained from the day before on a meal and then at the Vaudeville Theatre. You couldn't bet the Vaudeville for shows. Street jumped to a rock that wasn't covered in snow. She stood there for a while and then realized someone was sitting on a bench, about three feet from her. She really needed to pay more attention.

"Hey, you intend ta just sit there all day?" Street called, she was rather outgoing by nature and today, she was lonely.

It was boy, perhaps older then herself. His eyes were closed and his head back, it kind of looked like he was sleeping. Street hoped his wasn't dead or knocked out. Or worse, drunk. She had stumbled upon drunk men before and knew it was always ebst to leave them be. But... he seemed okay, for now.

[Thad Turner]

"Hey, you intend ta just sit there all day?"

So much for his peace and quiet. “So what if I do?” Thad said opening his eyes. The bright sun reflecting off the snow temporarily blinded him. He blinked rapidly a few times before his eyes adjusted. Turning he saw a blond haired girl about his age-maybe younger-staring at him. He stood up and took a step toward her. He dare her interrupt his peace. “What do you think you’re doing walking up and disturbing me like that?”

Thad glared at the girl with anger. “Who in god’s name do you think….” He began again, but stopped as he noticed her bare feet. He shivered thinking about how awful it was to touch bare skin to the icy snow. Thad shook his head and got ready to yell again, but stopped himself. In the time that he had taken to notice her bare feet he’d also taken the time to do something he rarely did: think about what he was going to say and do. ‘Why yell? Why scare her off?’ he thought to himself. Unlike most people she had taken the time to say something to him that wasn’t an insult. But then again it could be a trap. This is why he hated interacting with others. He just couldn’t win. If he scared them off he was left alone and lonely. If he opened up to them there was a chance they would trick him and stab him in the back. Today that was a chance he was willing to take. What did he have to lose?

Thad felt bad for yelling at the poor girl. He sighed looking down. He did not want to do it, but he felt he had to. He sat on the bench again. Thad knew his boots were ten times too big for the girl, but they were better than nothing. He slowly untied the laces and slipped off the shoes. He still had his socks to protect him from the snow, but what good would they do? They were so worn and had holes all through them. None of this mattered though, the girl had tried to be friendly and he had yelled at her. Thad winced as he stood up and his feet touched the snow. He walked over to the girl. “Here,” Thad said handing the boots to the girl. “My name’s Thad? What about you?”

[Street]

"So what if I do?" he asked her. “What do you think you’re doing walking up and disturbing me like that?”

Street jumped as the guy yelled at her. Street cocked her head as he stood up. "Must be awfully lonesome ta just sit there all day." She muttered. She took a slight step back as he demanded to know who she thought she was. Street took him in, was he a mean person? Like them guys she always found in alleyways in the middle of the night, or was he just annoyed after losing at the races or drinking too much? Street didn't really care, the fighting look had gone out of him. He changed.

The boy looked at his feet and began to take his boots off. "Ah, ya don't have ta do that..." She said as he approached her with them. "Honestly." But, she was so cold and the shoes looked warmed. She took them and slipped them on quickly. "Thanks, ya are really nice, ya know that. Most people look the other way when they see me, but it can't be helped, can it?"

“My name’s Thad? What about you?”

"My name's Rosalind, but everyone calls me Street. Well, they would." She laughed cheerfully. "So, what were ya doin' out here by yourself in the middle of winter? Ya should be in a pub or somethin', eatin' your feel and talkin' ta people. That's where I'd be...If I had the money." Street tied the laces tightly. "I'll only borrow these for a while, yeah? I'm kinda use to it, but the first days of snow are the worst."

[Thad Turner]

She objected to taking the shoes at first- just as he figured she would- but in the end she took the boots-also just as he figured she would.

"Thanks, ya are really nice, ya know that. Most people look the other way when they see me, but it can't be helped, can it?"

“Yeah well it’s nothin’,” he replied. The fact that she said about people looking the other way when they saw her made Thad realize he wasn’t alone in that sense. He knew how it felt to just be passed by and ignored. He told himself he didn’t care, but down inside it killed him.

"My name's Rosalind, but everyone calls me Street. Well, they would. So, what were ya doin' out here by yourself in the middle of winter? Ya should be in a pub or somethin', eatin' your feel and talkin' ta people. That's where I'd be...If I had the money."

Thad also understood what she meant by saying, ‘Well they would.’ It meant she didn’t have a bunch of friends, but neither did her. “Talkin’ to people,” Thad laughed half to himself half to Street. “Ya see me and people don’t normally get along,” He went on. It was true. The way Thad saw it people didn’t like him and he didn’t like people for that reason. “Besides I should probably stay away from the pub’s for a while. Me goin’ there just results in fights with other guys and too much drinkin’. Plus like you said- money ya know?” Thad explained.

"I'll only borrow these for a while, yeah? I'm kinda use to it, but the first days of snow are the worst."

Thad had no idea why he found it easy to talk to this girl. Maybe it was because she seemed to be a bit like him. “You just keep them boots as long as ya like. I know where I can get me some other ones,” Thad smiled. In truth he had no idea where to get some other shoes, but he figured he could work something out. He’d root through some dumpsters; if he found nothing there he’d just steal them. He didn’t care. He was just happy to actually be carrying on a real conversation with someone. A wind blew in Thad’s face. “Hey it’s getting’ colder out. You wanna walk and see if we can find a place to keep warm or somethin’?” He asked Street.

[Street]

Street felt life come back to her toes. It felt nice.

“Yeah well it’s nothin’,” He told her. Street chuckled quietly.

"Are ya always this modest?" She asked, cocking her head at him. He seemed nice, if only a little lonely.

“Ya see me and people don’t normally get along,” Street thought this odd. He was kind, if a little shy...“Besides I should probably stay away from the pub’s for a while. Me goin’ there just results in fights with other guys and too much drinkin’. Plus like you said- money ya know?”

Money...Street nodded. "Money seems ta be a problem now-a-days." Street looked him in the face. "Everywhere there are people starvin' on the streets and dyin' in the alleyways, but them hoity-toity folks-the ones with all the money-don't seem ta care about them. But if those at the bottom disappear, the ones at the top collapse." Street shook her head. "Sorry, I've been readin' them Union pamphlets." She smiled crookedly.

"Now, I'm only gonna borrow these for a bit, then I can make do! Honest!" Street nodded. The wind blew some of Street's hair around.

“Hey it’s getting’ colder out. You wanna walk and see if we can find a place to keep warm or somethin’?”

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Street said. "Now, are ya from the Bronx originally or did ya move there? I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and now... Now I sleep under the Brooklyn Bridge. Ya would think it ain't pleasant, but it can be, it can be real cozy." She sounded as if she was trying to convince herself more then anything. She nodded. "Real cozy."

[Thad Turner]

"Are ya always this modest?" She asked.

Thad just shyly looked away and laughed.

"Money seems ta be a problem now-a-days. Everywhere there are people starvin' on the streets and dyin' in the alleyways, but them hoity-toity folks-the ones with all the money-don't seem ta care about them. But if those at the bottom disappear, the ones at the top collapse. Sorry, I've been readin' them Union pamphlets."

Every bit of what she said was true. “Yeah…them hoity-toity folks sure don’t care about people like us. I see some on the streets walking and they just stick their noses up in the air and turn away like they’s so great. All they care about is their damn selves! And you’re right; they can’t stand without those on the bottom, but what do we get for supporting them? Not a thing!” Thad went off. After snapping back to reality he felt a little embarrassed. It was just that it made him mad how things worked. None of it was fair. He looked off to the distance not wanting to make eye contact with Street. “But hey, why are you sorry?” He finally said looking down at her. “You know what you’re talkin’ about, and all them words you said; they’re all true.”

"Now, I'm only gonna borrow these for a bit, then I can make do! Honest!" Street nodded.

Thad smiled glad that the subject was changed and his momentary outburst seemed forgotten. He shook his head smiling, “You sure are stubborn, but do what ya want.”

"Now, are ya from the Bronx originally or did ya move there?”

Thad sighed as the two of them began to walk. No one knew his story, and he was ok with that. It made him feel weak in a way. He could just lie to her, but one lie leads to another and then another, and he really didn’t want to lie to Street. She was the first nice person he’d really talked to since coming here. “Well I did live in Pennsylvania with my uncle, but I ran away,” he started, “It’s not a glorious story or nothin’. See my uncle had a drinking problem, and…” Thad stopped. Surely Street didn’t care to hear every detail. “And I just left one day. But on my way out I snatched this,” Thad said taking the pistol from his knapsack being careful that nobody except for Street saw it.

“I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and now... Now I sleep under the Brooklyn Bridge. Ya would think it ain't pleasant, but it can be, it can be real cozy."

“Well how’d ya end up there. I mean you didn’t always live under the Brooklyn Bridge. Am I right?”

[Street]

Street laughed with him and then held her hand out to catch a snowflake, it melted before she had time to really look at it. "Didya know that them scientists say that no two snowflakes look the same? That's amazin', ta figure that out, it must of taken some time..." Her forehead creased as she thought, then she shrugged and her forehead smoothed out.

“Yeah…them hoity-toity folks sure don’t care about people like us. I see some on the streets walking and they just stick their noses up in the air and turn away like they’s so great. All they care about is their damn selves! And you’re right; they can’t stand without those on the bottom, but what do we get for supporting them? Not a thing!” Street smiled, he felt the same as she did. “You know what you’re talkin’ about, and all them words you said; they’re all true.”

"Well, thank ya." She nodded for emphasis and smiled.

“You sure are stubborn, but do what ya want.” He said.

"Well, that's what so great about bein' a kid like us in New York, we own the streets!" She said happily, spreading her arms to the city. "And we should be able to do what we want, because how I see it, when you grow up, things change. Ya no longer believe in yourself as much. Them adults think their positions are set in stone, like they can't change them! Why, I could grow up ta be a orphange matron or somethin'!" That was saying something, Street was terrified of orphanages in general. "Nothin' is ever set in stone, because the stone gets worn down by time."

Street looked at the pistol. "What do ya carry that around for? If a bull saw ya with that they could... They could beat ya!" She gasped, horrified at the prospect. "I've seen it happen, a boy that use to sleep under the Bridge got beaten for havin' a knife when the bulls came and took him away."

“Well how’d ya end up there. I mean you didn’t always live under the Brooklyn Bridge. Am I right?” He asked.

"Well, I was left in an alley by my folks when I was about four, and a couple of Newsies found me and brought me in to St. Joseph's Home for Destitute Children. The matron wasn't too kindly and when I got accused of stealin'-which I did do, but wasn't gonna admit-she turned me out. I was about seven then. I found some kids who were livin' under the Bridge. I fell in with them, they taught me how ta pick pockets and survive in the street, and I taught them...well, how ta read a little I guess." Street said. "It's said my folks were real rich and powerful, ya know..." Street smiled.

"I don't begrudge them leavin' me, they gave me life and, well... They gave me the city." She gestured to the park. "There ain't nothin' better then this city!"

[Thad Turner]

"Didya know that them scientists say that no two snowflakes look the same? That's amazin', ta figure that out, it must of taken some time..."

Thad nodded in agreement. He watched as she thought about the subject. He couldn’t even imagine there being that many different shapes for a snowflake to be. It was amazing.

"Well, that's what so great about bein' a kid like us in New York, we own the streets!" She said happily, spreading her arms to the city. "And we should be able to do what we want, because how I see it, when you grow up, things change. Ya no longer believe in yourself as much. Them adults think their positions are set in stone, like they can't change them!”

Thad watched Street. He wasn’t sure he understood her happiness. It was true what she said about grown ups and not believing in themselves as much as kids. Then it hit Thad…he already thought like an adult. He felt his life was set in stone-a cold angry stone at that. He didn’t think he’d ever find happiness, but as he watched Street he thought otherwise. If she was this happy why wasn’t he?

"Nothin' is ever set in stone, because the stone gets worn down by time."

Thad said that fraise to himself again and again in his mind. He liked it. It made him feel there was a glimmer of hope for him. “You really believe that? I mean how do you come up with this stuff? All this happiness. Where’s it come from?” He asked seriously.

Street looked at the pistol. "What do ya carry that around for? If a bull saw ya with that they could... They could beat ya!" She gasped, horrified at the prospect. "I've seen it happen, a boy that use to sleep under the Bridge got beaten for havin' a knife when the bulls came and took him away."

“Ya never know when ya might need it. People can’t be trusted the way I see it, and I’ll be damned if someone is gonna go off and kill me before I even have a chance to get them first. Besides…the bulls, they don’t scare me.” Thad said proudly. It was true. They weren’t nothin’ but show to him.

"I don't begrudge them leavin' me, they gave me life and, well... They gave me the city." She gestured to the park. "There ain't nothin' better then this city!"

“You sure are strong to just forgive like that. My father ditched me with my uncle and I’ll never be able to forgive him. I swear if I ever see his face again I’ll…I’ll…” Thad just sighed. He didn’t know how to finish that sentence. “And you say there ain’t nothin’ better than this city. That one you’d have to prove to me; ‘cause unless you give me a good reason why this place is so great I won’t be able to believe ya,” Thad smirked.

[Street]

“You really believe that? I mean how do you come up with this stuff? All this happiness. Where’s it come from?” He asked seriously.

Street thought. "I guess it's because so many people are unhappy, and because so many other are happy. If those people can be happy, then why can't I? Just because I was abandoned? I think that... Life is what you make it. I like my life, it suits me just fine. It's rather excitin' runnin' from the bulls and not knowin' where your next meal is comin' from... But sad too... But struggle reminds me that I am a human, ya know? And that I just can't be shoved aside... Because I feel and starve just like anyone else." Street tilted her head to the side.

"I also read them poets, the library is free, ya know. I like Shakespere the best, he ain't afraid of writin' tragedies. The librarian likes me, so he reads the plays aloud to me." Street explained. "They give ya a lot ta think about."

“Ya never know when ya might need it. People can’t be trusted the way I see it, and I’ll be damned if someone is gonna go off and kill me before I even have a chance to get them first. Besides…the bulls, they don’t scare me.” Thad said proudly.

"I understand. It seems ta me that once-I wouldn't even try ta guess when-someone did ya a great wrong. That's never happened ta me... I figure, I'll trust someone until they prove me wrong, and then I'll have nothin' more ta do with them." Street assured him. "I could never imagine killin' someone, no matter what they did ta me... Aren't ya afraid of goin' ta jail or anythin'?"

“You sure are strong to just forgive like that. My father ditched me with my uncle and I’ll never be able to forgive him. I swear if I ever see his face again I’ll…I’ll…” Thad just sighed. He didn’t know how to finish that sentence. “And you say there ain’t nothin’ better than this city. That one you’d have to prove to me; ‘cause unless you give me a good reason why this place is so great I won’t be able to believe ya,” Thad smirked.

"I ain't strong, just foolish. I told the librarian that I forgave my folks for ditchin' me and he said 'One day, it's going to nip you in the butt, young one!'" She imitated the slow speech of an old man. Then she grinned, "Honest! As for your pa, don't ya ever wonder if he had a good reason? Maybe he thought if would help ya if he wasn't in your life?" Street asked him hopefully.

"As for why the city is so great... You're never alone in the city. There's always someone out there, strugglin' like ya are, even if ya don't realize. I know I can't be the only homeless pick pockect out there. I wouldn't even think it! So, do ya see what I'm gettin' at? There's a lot of... suffrage among us all, especially in the city. And plus, there are people like you; the ones that are kind and generous, they make it all worthwhile. Kindness spreads hope, never forget that."

[Thad Turner]

"I think that... Life is what you make it. I like my life, it suits me just fine. It's rather excitin' runnin' from the bulls and not knowin' where your next meal is comin' from... But sad too... But struggle reminds me that I am a human, ya know? And that I just can't be shoved aside... Because I feel and starve just like anyone else." Street tilted her head to the side.

She made such good points. It seemed to Thad that Street had everything figured out. She didn’t seem to question herself like Thad did. Maybe he was too hard on himself. Maybe he needed to just slow down and take life in and stop worrying about being stabbed in the back for a change. He had decided to do that today, and look at him now talking to Street. And now that he came to think of it, actually having fun.

"I also read them poets, the library is free, ya know. I like Shakespere the best, he ain't afraid of writin' tragedies. The librarian likes me, so he reads the plays aloud to me." Street explained. "They give ya a lot ta think about."

Thad wasn’t that into reading…well he just wasn’t all that good at it. Maybe if he gave it a chance. “Maybe I will find my way to the library someday and read some. Sounds interestin’,” Thad nodded.

"I understand. It seems ta me that once-I wouldn't even try ta guess when-someone did ya a great wrong. That's never happened ta me... I figure, I'll trust someone until they prove me wrong, and then I'll have nothin' more ta do with them." Street assured him.

“Yeah I’ve been done wrong. It ruins ya. Ya know that? It messes with your mind. I find myself second guessing everything. I can’t trust anyone, not even myself, well…not till today when I met you. I’m sorry for pouring this all on ya it just feels good to get it off my chest,” Thad said looking at Street. He didn’t want to scare her off by saying all this, but he just needed to tell someone.

"I could never imagine killin' someone, no matter what they did ta me... Aren't ya afraid of goin' ta jail or anythin'?"

“I don’t think I could kill a person unless I had to. Like if I was threatened or somethin’. Jail scares me yeah, but I wouldn’t get caught... I wouldn’t intend to at least,” Thad chuckled a little.

As for your pa, don't ya ever wonder if he had a good reason? Maybe he thought if would help ya if he wasn't in your life?" Street asked him hopefully.

“I used to a little I guess. But i gave up on that. You’d have to know him to understand that he wouldn’t do anything for someone else’s well being, definitely not mine,” Thad said shrugging.

"As for why the city is so great... You're never alone in the city. There's always someone out there, strugglin' like ya are, even if ya don't realize. I know I can't be the only homeless pick pocket out there. I wouldn't even think it! So, do ya see what I'm gettin' at? There's a lot of... suffrage among us all, especially in the city. And plus, there are people like you; the ones that are kind and generous, they make it all worthwhile. Kindness spreads hope, never forget that."

“People like me?” Thad laughed. He didn’t see himself as kind, but then he looked at the way he was acting today, and yeah he was actually being nice. "Kindness does spread hope...you've proved that today."

Thad was too busy smiling and talking to Street that he didn’t notice the man walking towards him. Thad accidentally plowed right into the guy. “Watch it!” the mad said angrily. Thad automatically went into defense mode, “Hey leave off,” he shot back, “You’re the one who got in my way!”

[Street]

“Maybe I will find my way to the library someday and read some. Sounds interestin’,” Thad nodded.

"If ya do go, tell the librarian ya know Rosalind, he'll set ya up. He's kinda off his trolley, but kind." Street said. "I especially like 'Romeo and Juliet'. They die in the end, but it's good story and all."

“Yeah I’ve been done wrong. It ruins ya. Ya know that? It messes with your mind. I find myself second guessing everything. I can’t trust anyone, not even myself, well…not till today when I met you. I’m sorry for pouring this all on ya it just feels good to get it off my chest,” Thad said looking at Street.

Street ducked her head. "I ain't nothin' special, just a girl with a roomy head that needs fillin'." She fixed a gentle gaze on Thad. "Have ya ever thought that it bothers ya so much because ya let it? How about ya try slowly lettin' go-if ya can. But if it's really as bad as ya make it sound, perhaps it would be better ta let it be for a bit. I find that when I have a problem, I walk away from it and come back when I have a new perspective."

“I don’t think I could kill a person unless I had to. Like if I was threatened or somethin’. Jail scares me yeah, but I wouldn’t get caught... I wouldn’t intend to at least,” Thad chuckled a little.

"It wouldn't really matter if ya got put in jail or not, the guilt of ya would crush it. Only a heartless person can kill-'cause it rips your soul apart-but ya have a heart, and good one at that. Don't let a little thing like a bully take that away from ya." Street said firmly, smiling widely at him.

Street nodded, but stayed silent about his father. “People like me?”

"Yeah! Ya know, ya should really look at yourself more often. Not how ya think ya look to others, but take a step back and see how others see ya. Some see me as a poor orphan, others as a burden on the state, others see me as an annoyance, and some see me as a girl with a mouth full of words she doesn't quite understand." Street nodded. "Not understanding isn't always a bad thing, ya know. It helps ya form your own opinion about the world."

"Kindness does spread hope...you've proved that today." Street turned away, so he wouldn't see her blushing and said nothing.

Street dodged the man just in the nick of time. She laid a hand on Thad's arm and said quietly, "Leave it, come on." Street turned to the man. "I think ya should apologize though sir, it could happen ta anybody, I assure ya. It was just an accident, right Thad?"

[Thad Turner]

"Have ya ever thought that it bothers ya so much because ya let it? How about ya try slowly lettin' go-if ya can. But if it's really as bad as ya make it sound, perhaps it would be better ta let it be for a bit. I find that when I have a problem, I walk away from it and come back when I have a new perspective."

Thad just nodded pondering what Street said. Let it go? He couldn’t do that. There was no way. Walk away for a bit? He wasn’t so sure, but maybe that wasn’t a half bad idea.

“Yeah! Ya know, ya should really look at yourself more often. Not how ya think ya look to others, but take a step back and see how others see ya. Some see me as a poor orphan, others as a burden on the state, others see me as an annoyance, and some see me as a girl with a mouth full of words she doesn't quite understand." Street nodded. "Not understanding isn't always a bad thing, ya know. It helps ya form your own opinion about the world."

“I never thought of things that way,” Thad said. Look at himself huh? Many saw him as just another poor kids on the street. Some saw him as a nuisance, others a thief. Street however, she saw him as a kind person with a heart, and her opinion was the only one that seemed to matter.

"Leave it, come on." Street turned to the man. "I think ya should apologize though sir, it could happen ta anybody, I assure ya. It was just an accident, right Thad?"

“Yeah sure,” Thad glared at the man. The man glared back. “Right sorry. Just be more careful next time,” the man said with sarcasm. “Wouldn’t want ya to get hurt little boy,” The man laughed tussling Thad’s hair.
“That’s it!” Thad yelled pushing the man who pushed back causing Thad to lose his footing and fall, but he quickly jumped back up and clenched his fist ready for a fight.

[Street]

“I never thought of things that way,”

"Most people never do. They just go through life, thinkin' the same way and never question' the world." Street commented. She nodded when the man apologized, not realizing it was sarcasm.

"Thad!" She cried out when he pushed the man-she had missed something... But what? She watched as Thad fell and sprung up, ready to fight. "Thad, what are ya doin'?" She asked, feeling scared. The man looked like he wouldn't mind beating up a boy.

"Thad, come on, let's just go!" Street cried desperately, tugging on Thad's sleeve. She cowered behind him, remembering what he said; “I don’t think I could kill a person unless I had to. Like if I was threatened or somethin’. She whimpered involuntarily, nervous about the idea of a fight. If she was hit, yeah she'd swing back, but that didn't mean she wanted to get into fights with guys probably twice her size.

[Thad Turner]

Thad didn’t even hear Street talking. He was too ready for a fight. That’s how he was raised. If someone bugged you; you fought them, and that was that. The guy was bigger than Thad, but Thad really didn’t take that into account. He was back to his old ways of acting without thinking.

Thad swung at the man hitting him in the jaw. The man looked a bit surprised, but other than that it didn’t really faze him. Thad could pack a hard punch so the fact that the man didn’t seem hurt at all made Thad worry a bit. ‘Nice goin’, look what you’ve done this time. How you getting yourself out of this one?’ he thought to himself. Before he even had time to think the man punched Thad in the eye. Thad quickly put a hand to his face in pain. As he took a moment to recover the man punched him twice in the stomach knocking the wind out of him. Thad bent over rapping his arm around his torso. It took him a minute, but he regained his breath. Both he and the man knew who lost. Thad stood back up straight, “You just better hope I don’t see you again. Next time you won’t be so lucky,” Thad said quietly trying to sound tough as he admitted his defeat. The man only laughed. That made Thad want to rip him to shreds, but instead he put his arm around Street. “C’mon,” he grumbled,” as he started to walk. He could already feel his eye starting to swell and in his mind he could picture the bruise that would form. Not like he never had a black eye before.