Bailey was one happy kid as he walked to his new job. He'd worked at Mr. Gold's pawnshop for three weeks now, and already had a significant among of cash lining his jeans' pocket for the first time in his young life. Mr. Gold paid him in cash every day, paying the boy above minimum wage. Bailey had expected the pawnshop owner to be stingy being the money grubber everyone knew him to be. But when Mr. Gold presented him with the first day's pay, the unrelenting landlord went up a notch in Bailey's book.
His mother had asked if Mr. Gold was treating him well. Bailey rolled his eyes after the fifth time she inquired him, and slinked off to his bedroom, muttering, "Everything is cool, Mom." She'd drop by unexpectedly nearly every day he worked, much to Bailey's discontent. She was checking up on him, and what self-respecting teenage boy wanted their mom checking on them all the time?
His mother had always been polite to Mr. Gold, that's just who was. She wasn't afraid of him like most people in town, only cautious. Bailey admired her courage. He figured that's where he received his backbone, because it definitely wasn't from his father. The man had left before he was born. In his mind, his father was a coward, not wanting to take responsibly for the new life he created. His mother only spoke of the man a few times in his life and only in vague detail. It seemed she didn't even remember much about him.
It surprised Bailey how well he was getting along with Mr. Gold. The older man easy to talk to, and they'd had many conversations as Bailey dusted, sorted, or moved whatever Mr. Gold instructed him to. The pawnshop owner was more than willing to discuss matters of everyday life, asking Bailey how school was going and giving advice if needed. It was nice having another adult to talk to besides his mother or grandpa.
What really set Mr. Gold above the image of strict landlord was the fridge of sodas he kept in the back. Mr. Gold limited him to one per work day, but Bailey was more than happy with that arrangement. If his mother ever found out, she'd probably have Bailey's hide for not informing his employer of the standards he was supposed to keep. He'd take the risk.
While Bailey was cutting through the park from school on his way to work one Friday, a group of boys around his age were in a circle around someone. Bae knew from experience these boys were trouble. He didn't want to interfere with whatever scheming deed they were up to, but halted when he saw one of the boys push down a much younger one into the dirt.
Bailey didn't give a second's thought as he dashed over to the group, pushing his way into the circle. The younger boy sprawled on the ground he recognized as Henry Mills, the mayor's son. If Henry was scared, he didn't show and Bailey admired him for that.
"Still picking on kids way younger than you, Nate?" Bailey snapped, shielding Henry, never taking his eyes off his adversary.
Nathaniel Cole stepped forward, menacingly. He was eye to eye with Bailey, but had more muscle tone and strength. Being the smaller of any fight never stopped Bailey from taking on any boy he needed to beat down. Anger toward bullies kept any fear he may have had defused.
"If it means I get to pound my fist into your face again" Nate answered with a crack of his knuckle.
Bailey only had to wait a beat before the larger boy lunged a fist at his face. Bailey moved aside, hooking a foot around Nate's leg. Nate fell to the ground face first, and sputtered as he raised his head, dusty dirt covering his front. He quickly rolled over, jumping to his feet and tackling Bailey to the ground. Bailey scrambled to get out of Nate's arm locked around his middle. He knew if your adversary held you on the ground, he had a better chance of beating the snot out of you.
Nate's hand gripped Bailey's shirt tail, keeping him from standing. Bailey snarled, whirling around and clocking Nate's cheekbone. Nate yelped, holding his already bruising cheek. It took no time for his anger to catch up and he jumped to his feet again, lunging blindly with a tight fist. Bailey nearly fell backwards as it connected with his right eye.
The other boys were suddenly scrambling in all different directions. Henry was yelling at him to run as he tugged desperately at Bailey's hoodie sleeve. He let Henry drag him along as they disappeared into a patch of trees. They slowed after running a safe distance, both hunched over out of breath. Bailey slugged over to a tree, plopping down none-too-gracefully, holding his throbbing eye.
"Thanks for saving me from those guys," Henry said, shuffling over to bend down next to Bailey. A touch of wonder filled his voice. "You were really brave to take on Nate like that."
Bailey shrugged a shoulder, groaning as he did. "That was not the first time I ever fought with Nate."
"Judging by the bruise on his face, you hit him hard." Henry smiled.
"Good" Bailey muttered, the idea of Nate's purple and black cheekbone shining for all the world to see amused him highly and made his own pain worth it. "I need to get to work. I'm already way too late."
Henry ran off in the opposite direction as Bailey ran through the woods, making it to the main street and down the sidewalk to the pawnshop. He stopped short as he threw open the door, the bell clanging wildly. Mr. Gold stood in the middle of the shop floor looking rather tense.
"Bailey, where have you been?" he asked sternly but gently. Mr. Gold suddenly seemed shocked as Bailey stared at him like a deer caught in the headlights. He stayed rooted to the floor as Mr. Gold hurried to him, grabbing his chin, turning his face to the left to examine the bruise. "What happened to you, son?"
"It's nothing" Bailey replied, nonchalantly pushing passed his employer to dispose of his backpack in the office. He was well aware of Mr. Gold following him, hoping the older man would not press the issue. He'd probably want to call Bailey's mom, she'd rush over and make a huge fuss. That was the last thing Bailey wanted. He'd deal with the worry and wrath of his mother soon enough.
"It's nothing?" Mr. Gold echoed acidulously. "Your eye is shining brighter than the sun."
"I got into a little fight with someone." Bailey shrugged it off, making his way to the fridge for a can of soda. He popped the tab, taking a long sip, and then pressing the cold can to his eye. "No big deal."
"Who was the boy that attacked you?" Mr. Gold prompted, his lips forming a snarl.
Bailey groaned. He hadn't expected an interrogation from his employer. Why should the man even care? He didn't come to work all bloody or with a broken bone, and was only a fraction late. "It's doesn't matter. Isn't the first time I've been in a fight, and won't be the last time."
Mr. Gold tapped his cane as he stepped forward. The concern on the man's usual schooled features was disconcerting. "If you won't tell him who fought with you, at least tell me the reason why."
He could give Mr. Gold the reason at least. Bailey leaned against the desk, taking another swig of soda and replacing it against his throbbing eye. "I was headed here when I saw some jerks pushing the mayor's son around." Bailey felt himself glaring at Mr. Gold. "I don't take kindly to bullies. They think they're strong and above other people, but all they are, are cowards."
A long beat passed as employer and employee stared off, both pairs of brown eyes unblinking. Mr. Gold finally broke contact, glancing down at the floor. "Be careful, son. Next time you may receive more than just a black eye."