The First Three Rules by Adrienne Wilder Read Free Book Online Page B

Ellis backed up until the only place left for him to go was away from the truck. If he did that, Rudy would be alone.
    “Why don’t you run on and let me tend to business?”
    “I will not let you hurt him.”
    “I’m warning you, Queer Boy. Don’t go down this road. You have no idea who you’re fucking with. You better let me teach the retard a lesson or I’m going to make your life hell.” Lenny moved closer and Ellis didn’t back away. “One last chance, Queer Boy.”
    Lenny turned toward the truck and Ellis rushed him. His shoulder caught Lenny in the side making stumble but before Ellis could get in another punch, Lenny threw out one of his long arms and shoved Ellis into the van parked beside them. His head hit the side panel and left a dent.
    “Have it your way, faggot.” Lenny grabbed Ellis by the shirt and punched him in the face, the chest then the side of the head.
    Rudy banged on the glass. “Stop! Stop it! Ellis, make him stop!” The only people around were near the entrance to the store. Rudy needed a way to tell them something bad was happening. Like the fire alarm that tells everyone when there’s smoke.
    Rudy wanted it and then he knew exactly where to find it.
    He slammed both his hands against the center of the steering wheel. The truck horn bellowed over the parking lot.
    Lenny held Ellis by his throat. He had a cut near his eye and his lip was split. Bright red splotches covered one side of his face and blood matted his hair over his left ear. He kept trying to stand but couldn’t seem to get his feet under him.
    An elderly man came from around the van and yelled for someone to call the police. More people stepped out from behind the cars. Lenny let Ellis go. He clung to the side view mirror.
    “Keep your retard away from my girlfriend.” Lenny jabbed one of his big fingers in Ellis’s face. “Next time I will not stop.” He left.
    Rudy got out. Ellis had his eyes closed and every breath he took made blood bubbles in his nose.
    “Ellis?”
    “It’s okay, I’m fine.”
    “But you’re bleeding, Ellis. You’re bleeding all over.”
    The elderly man walked over. “Just hang on, someone’s called an ambulance.”
    Ellis shook his head. “No ambulance. I’m fine.”
    “You’re banged up pretty bad, son.”
    “I’m fine.” Ellis pushed Rudy back. “Get in. Let’s go.”
    “But you’re bleeding.”
    “Get in the truck, Rudy. Now.”
    Rudy climbed in through the driver’s side and buckled his seat belt. It took Ellis two tries to pull himself into the seat. He took the keys out of his pocket. Dropped them. Picked them up and dropped them again.
    “Can I help?” Rudy said.
    “No, no. I’ve got it. I just…” He stuck the key into the ignition. The truck cranked up and for some reason it sounded louder than usual. Was the truck angry too?
    Ellis wiped the blood out of his eye and backed out of the parking spot. A cop car came through the front entrance just as he rounded the building and took the exit in the back. Rudy twisted his hands in his lap. Were they coming to get him for touching the girl’s hair? They’d taken him away when he knocked over a display at the fancy grocery store. They even put handcuffs on him and made him ride in the backseat of the car. Then they put him in that place. That awful place. They laughed at him when he messed up his clothes. They laughed at him again when he cried because he was scared of the dark.
    It took three forever-days before Ellis came to get him. Forever-days weren’t like regular days because they magically transformed into years. Just like the day before Christmas or his birthday.
    Ellis clung to the steering wheel. He must have felt really bad. Rudy knew when his stomach hurt, he sometimes made a face.
    “Ellis?”
    The truck swerved, kicking up dirt from the shoulder. Ellis sat up and it straightened out.
    “What, Rudy?”
    “I didn’t mean to.”
    “I know you didn’t.”
    “Her hair was pretty. It was so