Page 121 of The Only Seconds that Matter
Johnny shrugged.“I just seen a lot of them.Used to chase a few with a buddy when we were weren’t doin’ rodeos.”
“Of course you did.Gotta risk your life in one way or another.”Victor turned to Taylor.“How are you doing, kid?”
Taylor’s eyes were still wide with fear.“Mama’s gonna kill me.”
“She probably will,” Johnny said unhelpfully.“Why’d you run off?”
“Mike threatened to spank me,” Taylor replied, arms crossed over her chest, shivering.“He called me a bitch!”
Johnny frowned, then met Victor’s worried gaze.
“Mama always takes his side.”Taylor sniffed, running an arm across her face.“She said if I didn’t want to be called a bitch I wouldn’t act like one.”
“You shoulda just called me and let me sort it out,” Johnny said.“‘Stead of runnin’ off and stealin’ the dirtbike.”
“I didn’t steal it.”
“You know how dangerous it is for a ten-year-old to ride a damn dirtbike on the road?You didn’t think about that?”
“I rode it on back roads.”
“And what did you think you’d accomplish by comin’ here?”
Taylor faced the floor.“I dunno.Just didn’t want to be at home.”
“Girl…” Johnny sighed, flopping onto a chair.“Your mama’s been worried sick.”
“Then maybe she shouldn’t call me a bitch,” Taylor grumbled.
“No, she shouldn’t.But it don’t mean you risk your damn life.”
Taylor hugged her legs to her chest for a few seconds of silence, then said, “You ran away from home back when you were a kid, right?”
Johnny jolted, then scowled at Taylor.“Now don’t you bring that up.”
“Why not?”
“Sixteen is not ten, for one.”
“So?Doesn’t change nothin’.”
“Who told you I ran away from home?”
“Mama.She said you ran off to do rodeo.Maybe I can do that.”
Color left Johnny’s face.“Ain’t no way in hell you’re doin’that.”
“Maybe not rodeo, but I could—”
“Could nothin’.You’re stayin’ in school ‘til you graduate.”
“I hate school!And I hate livin’ with Mama and Mike.I wanna live with you.”
“That ain’t happenin’.”
“Why not?”Taylor demanded angrily.
“Cuz I ain’t in any shape to be parentin’ a kid.Besides, I don’t think your mama would let you.”
