'It's been a few days since I talked with Dren,' Zoey thought to herself. 'I wonder how he's doing.'
"Zoey." Renee said to her sister. Zoey was still lost in thought about those brusies she saw on Dren's neck and arm. "Zoey." Renee said again. She was still thinking. Now Renee was getting annoyed. "Earth to Zoey!" Renee said straight into her ear.
I jumped. "What!" I yelped, holding my ear. "Ow, what's so important, you had to shout in my ear?"
"Well, for one, you're never this quiet. What's wrong?" Renee said.
Me and Renee are walking through the forest looking for some berries and apple trees on account of Ma wanting them to make some pies. "Well, I haven't seen Dren in school for a few days, and the last time I talked to him, I saw purple bruises on his neck and arm."
Renee started to look a tiny bit worried. "That is kinda strange. But you know Dren. He's a troublemaker. Always getting into fights just for the heck of it. He probably just got them from the fights he's been in."
I still didn't feel any better. I don't know why, but I still had a bad feeling about it. Something felt off. I looked up at my sister. "I guess, but I'm not sure if he did get em from that or not."
Renee shrugged. "Just forget it, Zoey. I mean, if it isn't from him doing that stuff, and if someone could actually hurt him without a problem, the school board can take care of it, right? So we shouldn't have to worry if he'll be alright or not."
"I guess so." I replied. Once we were at the field, we picked as many berries as our baskets could hold, and headed for home.
xxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXX
"Nngh!" Dren suppressed the small sharp pang at his side.
One last wrap around his upper body, and Dr. Baker was done fixing up Dren. "There you are, Dren. All patched up. But might I ask how you got these bruises?" Doc Baker asked.
Dren put on a smile and waved it off. "It's really nothing Doc. Just another day, another brawl. Except the last couple weren't so easy to dodge or find an opening to attack."
Doctor Baker was still suspicious. "I see. And are you sure you got these deep cuts on the back of your neck from that as well, along with the huge lash on your lower back?"
"To be fair Doc, you don't exactly witness my fights." Dren retaliated.
"That is true, but sometimes you don't need to. Sometimes the bruises can give a clear answer themselves." Dren was starting to squirm a little. "Son, if there's something you need to tell me, I promise it will not leave this office. It's just between you and me."
Dren got up and put his flannel shirt on. "Thanks for everything Doc, but I have to get home and do my chores. If I don't clean out the barn, I'll never hear the end of it."
As he walked out the door, the doc was still suspicious about the whole incident. 'If it's what I think it is, I will need to obtain proof and make sure before I inform the board.'
