Singing Anvil
I sat on the cart. My hands shook as I watched the other boys walk around.
"What's your name , boy?" The man on the cart asked.
"Tanner." I replied
"Tanner. Fine name for a young boy. How come yer not out with the other boys?"
"I'd rather not. They have no class."
"Neither do you. Sounds girlish." Suddenly, I saw a boy almost dropping a big box. I hopped off the cart.
"Thanks. I'm Gendry."
"Tanner." I replied. You're a boy I told myself. He wouldn't be handsome to a boy. I smiled.
"So what's you do to get shipped out here?" He asked.
"I was born." I snapped.
"One of those eh? I know how that feels." I saw a big boy picking on a little boy.
"You like picking on the wee ones?" I challenged. He looked up at me.
"I been working the anvil for 10 years. When I hit that steel it sings. You gonna sing when I hit you?" Gendry asked.
"Pick on someone your own size. Someone like me." I challenged again. He pushed me. Big mistake. "You wanna piece of me?" I hit him with a hard right hook. He stumbled back. He looked up and ran.
"Eh, Tanner. What are you doing?" The man asked.
"Keeping the wee ones outta trouble." I winked at the younger boy.
"Thanks."He said.
"I'm Tanner, as you could tell."
"Arry." He had a higher pitched voice , but he was young too. He put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry Arry. No one'll bug you while I'm around." It was the beginning of a bond no one could break