TJ's Odd Behaviour

TJ sat quietly in the trailer, watching cartoons on the tv. It was still raining outside and he didn't want to get wet.



His dad's old fixer-upper was waiting patiently, gently rusting away to nothing.
But something was on his mind.


Well, rather, someone.
Sammi, the girl who beat him up.
The scratches weren't supposed to be a trophy, but somehow, he found himself wearing them with a weird sense of pride. After all, she was the first one who bested him, beat him at his own game.

Admittedly, he wanted to mash her brains out, who wouldn't? She'd dented his male pride. But still, he couldn't help admiring her grit and determination.

Oh, he'd get even.

Eventually.

But for now, he just wanted to be alone and lick his sore wounds.

"Ma?" asked Seth, looking up at his mother, "what's wrong with TJ?"

"I don't know son," she replied, her eyes down cast.

She too, had been pondering the same question, ever since he came back to home base covered in cuts and bruises. Since then, he'd hidden himself away indoors, keeping quietly to himself. It wasn't like him at all.




Hail or snow, he'd be found, tinkering with that 'rust bucket' outside. But it stood there, unloved and untouched. It was the last thing belonging to his dad before he 'passed away'.



And TJ, in keeping his father's memory alive, spent most of his time tinkering with this clapped out heap of junk.

It was a short sharp shower, but still, TJ remained indoors.
Enid looked at her daughter, and then at the spiky haired young girl, making a fuss of a stray dog that often wandered past, begging scraps.



Hmm, perhaps this was the reason for his sudden disappearance?
They passed each other knowing glances.

"Sue," said her mother, "I think it's time to give TJ a little 'talk'."

Susan sighed heavily. Oh they grow up so quickly, and she'd dreaded this day for a long while. Always putting it off. Sadly, he was at that perfect age now.

Seth pricked up his ears.

"Ooohh," piped up Seth, his face all sticky with jelly, "is TJ in trouble?"

Enid smiled down at her youngest grandson and shook her head.

"No he's not," she replied, ruffling his hair, "now eat all up and help granny with the washing up."

Seth didn't need to be told twice. Gulping down the last of his 'treat', he immediately sprang from his chair and gathered all the plates together.