A Ruling Passion – Chapter 1807

The commotion was sonorous enough that it attracted a doctor and a few nurses, but not one of them succeeded in de-escalation. The man was simply too drunk with the reciprocal, an-eye-for-an-eye justice that he ceased considering anything else.

“If you want to slap someone so badly, then slap me! If you’ve got the balls to do that, then come on, show me what you got!” Arianne snapped at the man as her patience ended in distress. “But this better be the end of this stupid feud between the kids, you hear? Once you hit me, anything that comes afterward is strictly between us adults!”

Tiffany swooped in and shielded Arianne. “What in actual hell! You trippin’, girl?! This guy you’re waving your red cloth at has the stature of a buffalo, for God’s sake! He can literally slap the living daylight out of you! Listen, hon, be patient; Jackson’s on the way. I’ve called him just now!”

Meanwhile, Smore — who had lived three years without bending to anyone’s will — reacted to the threat hanging over his mother with a furious roar. “If any of you beat my Mom, I swear Dad’s gonna kill all of you!”

The father, at the height of his fury and contempt, sputtered at the direction of the floor. “I don’t even know who you daddy is! Lemme tell you, kiddo, in this part of the city, ain’t no one ever means squat enough to warrant my attention! So, who’s your oh-so-powerful pa, huh? What’s his name? Tell me who I should remember to teach a lesson next time!”