Если я останусь

           Whenelseweretwogirlslikeusgoingtocometoblows?IwrestledonthegroundwithTeddy,andsometimesIpinchedhim,butafistfight?Hewasjustababy,andevenifhewereolder,Teddywaslikehalfkidbrotherandhalfmyownkid.I’dbeenbabysittinghimsincehewasafewweeksold.Icouldneverhurthimlikethat.AndKim,anonlychild,didn’thaveanysiblingstosock.Maybeatcampshecould’vegottenintoascuffle,buttheconsequenceswould’vebeendire:hours-longconflict-resolutionseminarswiththecounselorsandtherabbi."Mypeopleknowhowtofightwiththebestofthem,butwithwords,withlotsandlotsofwords,"shetoldmeonce.

           Butthatfallday,wefoughtwithfists.Afterthelastbell,withoutaword,wefollowedeachotherouttotheplayground,droppedourbackpacksontheground,whichwaswetfromtheday’ssteadydrizzle.Shechargedmelikeabull,knockingthewindoutofme.Ipunchedheronthesideofthehead,fistclosed,likemendo.Acrowdofkidsgatheredaroundtowitnessthespectacle.Fightingwasnoveltyenoughatourschool.Girl-fightingwasextraspecial.Andgoodgirlsgoingatitwaslikehittingthetrifecta.

           Bythetimeteachersseparatedus,halfofthesixthgradewaswatchingus(infact,itwastheringofstudentsloiteringthatalertedtheplaygroundmonitorsthatsomethingwasup).Thefightwasatie,Isuppose.Ihadasplitlipandabruisedwrist,thelatterinflicteduponmyselfwhenmyswingatKim’sshouldermissedherandlandedsquarelyonthepoleofthevolleyballnet.