B is for Bruises.
Jamie zipped his jacket all the way up. The collar hid his neck, just like he planned. There was still bruising on his neck from the day before.
The perp they were chasing, jumped on Jamie and started choking him. Jamie struggled for air and tried to fight the guy. Jamie was losing his strength quickly. Suddenly the man was pulled off of him. Jamie sat up and say a civilian tackle the perp and pin him down. After Jamie cuffed the perp he turned to the civilian.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. I couldn't just stand there while the guy choked you."
Jamie walked into the front door. Henry and Frank were already sitting at the table. Danny and Erin emerged from the kitchen with food. Soon the table was set and dinner was served. Everyone was laughing and joking around. Jamie felt extremely hot in his jacket, but he didn't want his family to fret over a few bruises. Erin seemed to realize that Jamie was uncomfortable.
"Jamie, take off your jacket. You're sweating."
"No, I'm good." Erin just glared at him. And Jamie just went back to eating his dinner. When Jamie wasn't paying attention, Danny reached over and unzipped Jamie's jacket, exposing his neck. Danny gasped.
"What happened, kid?" Jamie re-zipped his jacket.
"It's nothing."
"There are bruises on your neck, that is not nothing!" By now the whole family knew what was going on. Linda came to Jamie's side.
"Let me see."
"It's nothing, ok. It happened yesterday. I'm fine."
"Just let me see." Jamie rolled his eyes and unzipped his jacket. Linda stiled a gasp and examined his neck. "Jamie these bruises look like hand prints."
"What happened?" There was concern in Erin's voice.
"The perp got the jump on me, that's all. This is why I didn't tell you guys. You are over reacting to nothing."
"Jamie we care about you and care when you get hurt." Jamie smiled at his family.
"I know you care, but sometimes I can take care of myself without worrying all of you."
"We're glad you're ok." Danny patted Jamie's back and then cracked a joke and had everyone laughing.