A Son Called Gabriel by Damian McNicholl

Author:Damian McNicholl
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Pegasus Books

Kevin liked to play chess at lunchtime. The next day, I went to the physics laboratory where the players met, took him aside before he began a game, and asked point-blank why he was stabbing me with a compass.

At first, he denied it vigorously. “How could you even think I’d do such a thing?” he kept protesting, as he tried to look me in the eye.

I told him I knew it was him because someone had informed on him. He looked away, pretending to watch an upper-sixth fellow wiggling his index finger against the tip of his nose as he pondered a move. Finally, he turned back to me and mumbled an apology.

“I won’t do it again,” he said, and flashed me his cheesy smile. “I promise.”

Two days later, the stabbing recommenced. Three gentle, probing stabs the first day and then back to the old intensity and frequency the next. The following evening, I made sure to be in Kevin’s vicinity as we bundled into the taxi. At the first stab, I took my compass out of my pocket. On the second prick, I negotiated my hand toward his leg, sank the entire point into him and withdrew it quickly. His cry shriveled to a gasp when the other boys complained about his shifting about in the packed car.

I didn’t feel any pity. Not a sliver. Yes, it was a savage act, but I had to protect my body. I had to make him stop. If I didn’t protect myself, who else would?

It worked. Kevin stopped the attacks. And even more astonishingly, he began respecting me. It was a slow-built respect, beginning with chats about homework that moved on to include other stuff. It felt pretty good.

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