Mother Puncher by Gina Ranalli Read Free Book Online Page A

ear. Ed could smell booze on the lowlife’s breath. “You a tough guy now, Champ ? I hear you beat up women for a fucking living. That how tough you are, old Champeroo ?”
    Shorty came around the front of them, laughing, and slugged Ed in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. The guy on his back—Mark—was tightening his forearm around Ed’s throat, clinching his windpipe closed.
    Ed knew he had to remain upright unless he wanted to be kicked with steel-toed workman’s boots for breakfast, and in order to remain upright he needed to breathe. He quickly assessed his options and regretted the decision he was left with. Shorty was coming in for another swing, this time aiming for his face, leaving his own mid-section wide open. Ed took advantage of it and gave the kid a nice hard kidney punch. Shorty yelped, reeled backwards holding his side until he collided with the wall and sat down on his ass. Ed didn’t think he’d be coming at him again, so he spun his body and rammed Mark’s back into the wall just inches from where his friend had landed. Mark grunted, his grip loosened, but he didn’t fall off.
    Wishing for the first time that he had been a wrestler instead of a boxer, Ed slammed Mark again, harder this time and finally his grip loosened enough for Ed to get a hand under his forearm and twist the asshole around, tossing him to the floor like a sack of laundry.
    Ed pointed a meaty finger at them. “Don’t get up,” he warned.
    Shorty looked like he might cry at any moment, but Mark was clearly debating whether or not to rise and give him another go.
    “Do it and I’ll break your fucking arm,” Ed said, staring him down. It wasn’t until Mark dropped his furious gaze that Ed felt ok to turn his back on them and continue on his way up to maternity to see how Mrs. English was doing. Knowing her, it was probably better than him.
    When he saw Sandy, she said, “Damn. You look even rougher than you did when I first woke you up.”
    He shrugged. “Run-in with a few anti-fans. Nothing major.”
    She shook her head just as she had down in the walk-in clinic. “Mrs. English is gonna go quick. Don’t go far.”
    “I won’t,” he said. “I’ll be right here.”
    She smiled and disappeared back into the birthing room.
    Ed really would have preferred being in the waiting room, leafing through a magazine and relaxing until it was time for him to go in, but experience had taught him that being anywhere near the expectant mother’s family and friends often had bad results. And Mrs. English had a lot of family, though they weren’t nearly as bad as some. He remembered the kick in the shin he’d received the previous day from that little kid, which only reinforced his idea to stay away from the waiting room. However, if the family members approached the birthing room, there wasn’t much he could do about it.
    He wanted more coffee. And a shower and shave. And a change of clothes. He gave his armpit a sniff and grimaced. He really needed a shower and fresh clothes. As soon as this job was done, he’d check with Sandy about any other mothers and then rush home and get cleaned up. Maybe brew some coffee while he was in the shower and take a thermos to work. He hoped Ash would be asleep for all this. If not…he shuddered to think.
    Luckily, that’s when he heard the screaming of a newborn and a few moments later, the doctor emerged, giving him the nod.
    Ed slowly walked into the birthing room. As usual, Sandy was attending to the crying baby and Mrs. English was sitting up in bed, smiling to beat the band. She was a fat broad with thick dark curly hair and chubby cheeks that seemed rosy whether she’d just given birth or not.
    “Ed!” she exclaimed happily. “Good to see you again. You’re looking…uh…not so good, actually. You feeling ok?”
    He returned her smile. “I’m ok Mrs.