Chang screamed and clutched his nose. 'Fay, Janie hit me. I didn’t do nothing and Janie hit me.'
'Jane, stop it,' Fay called from the kitchen. 'And, Chang, quit tattling.”
“Give it back,' Jane said through gritted teeth.
'Thief. Crook.' Chang backed away. 'I’m going to tell Fay and she’ll have you put in jail.'
'Give—it—back.' She punched him in the stomach and then grabbed the apple that dropped from his hand. She was halfway across the room when Fay said, 'Stop right there, Jane.'
Sighing, she stopped in her tracks. Bad luck. A few seconds more and she would have been out the front door.
'She stole an apple from the fridge. She’s been stealing stuff for the last two days.' Chang smiled maliciously. 'You gonna have her arrested, Fay?'
'What kind of stuff?' Fay asked.
'Food. I saw her put a sandwich in her schoolbag yesterday.”
“Is that true, Jane?'
Jane didn’t answer. 'And she punched me.'
'Be quiet, Chang. For heaven’s sake, you’re two inches taller than she is.” The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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“You said I shouldn’t fight,' he said, sulking.
'I also said you shouldn’t tattle, but you do it.' Fay dug into her pocket and handed him a tissue. 'Go on. You’ll be late for school.' Chang wiped his nose. 'Jane was late yesterday.”
“Jane’s never late for school.'
'She was late yest—' He met Jane’s warning gaze and backed toward the door. 'Ask her.' He bolted out of the house.
Fay crossed her arms over her chest. 'So I’m asking you.”
“I was late.'
'Why?'
'I had something to do.”
“What?'
Jane was silent.
'Have you been stealing food?”
“Not much.'
'You know I have a tough time stretching the food budget for the three of you.”
“I won’t eat tomorrow.'
'You don’t eat enough now. It’s Chang and Raoul who are always hungry. Which brings me to ask why you stole food, when half the time I can’t get you to eat my dinners.'
Jane didn’t answer.
'When I was in the fourth grade there was a bully who made me give him my lunch every day.
I’d understand if you—‘
'No one made me do it.'
Fay smiled faintly. 'And if they tried, you’d punch them in the nose.'
Jane nodded.
'If you have a problem, it might help if you talk to me.”
“I don’t have a problem.'
The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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'And you wouldn’t tell me if you did. Why do I even try?' Fay wearily brushed a strand of hair back from her forehead. 'Go on. You’ll be late.' Jane hesitated. It would be harder to get food now. Could she trust Fay? 'May I keep the apple?'
'If you tell me why.”
“Someone needs it.”
“Who?'
'He can’t go home right now. His father’s there.”
“Who?'
'Could I bring him here?'
