If a Fight Is What You Want

By
Abigail G.

Thirteen year old Jeremiah Coulter rolled his tense shoulders as he watched his cousin trying to wrestle a half-grown calf. Fool greenhorn’s gonna get himself killed. And Pa thinks I’m reckless!

“Nathan Tyson! What do you think you’re doin’?”

“Oh! Hey, Jem. I’m wrestling a calf. What does it look like I’m doing? Green pastures! This thing is stubborn.” Twelve year old Nathan panted in reply.

“And what do you expect to tell Pa if he catches you?”

Nathan grunted as the calf landed a good kick on his ribs. “He won’t if you keep your voice down,” He hissed.

“What in the whole state of California gave you such a tom fool idea?”

“The boys on that hill over there said I was such a weakling, that I probably couldn’t even wrestle this calf. I had to try, Jem! You know, Coulter honor and all that stuff?”

“What they meant, is that you’re such a greenhorn you would actually try! None of those boys up there could wrestle Rusty,” Jem shook his head in disgust. “And if Ellie sees you trying to, you’ll have more than Rusty on your hands. She’s the one who named him.”

“She names anything that moves,” Nathan gasped for air as he spoke. “Anyhow, they started it and I--”

Jem broke in angrily, “And I’m finishin’ it! Get up, now. In other words, if you don’t get up, I’m getting Pa.”

“Come on, Jem.”

“No. Up. Now.” Jem turned toward the boys on the hill. Just as I thought. Will Sterling and his goons. “You guys clear out, now! Or I’ll get my Pa, and we’ll see what he has to say about your dumb games. Go use yourselves for entertainment. You’re dumber than a whole lot of greenhorns, so it should work fine! Now clear out.”

“We’re going for now, Coulter, but we’re gonna dance tomorrow at recess! Just you and me.”

“I can’t wait. Now, get.” Jem watched until the boys disappeared over the hill, then turned toward Nathan.

Nathan had managed to let the calf up, and jump over the side of the pen with no lasting damage.“I can’t believe you, Jem!”

“No, Nathan, I can’t believe you! You could have died! That calf is big enough to cave your head in if he got a direct enough kick!”

“Jem? Is everything okay? I heard you yelling,” Pa’s voice floated around the side of the house.

Jem sent Nathan a pointed look. “Yes, sir. Everything is fine and dandy. Will Sterling and his goons were makin’ fun of Nathan, and I sent ’em home. Ain’t that right, Nathan?”

“What? Oh! Yep. That’s what happened. That’s exactly what happened. I didn’t have nothing to do with it. No siree! Not that Jem did! He didn’t either. Nope, he was a perfect angel. Yes siree. Perfect I tell ya. Why you shoulda--” He broke off when caught Jem’s glare.

“What? What did I say?” Jem glanced at his 6’ 3”, broad-shouldered, big muscled father, Mathew Coulter. He groaned inwardly when his pa’s eyes narrowed.

“Is that really what happened, Jeremiah Isaiah?”

“Of course it was, Uncle Matt! I saw the whole thing!”

“Nathan Ethan Tyson! Since when did your name become, Jeremiah?”

“Uhhh… It didn’t, but I--”

 “No ‘but’s’ about it, Nathan. I was talking to Jeremiah, and Jeremiah is whom I expect to answer me.” He turned a steely gaze on Jem. “Now is that really what happened?”

“Well, Nathan was rambling quite a bit, so I don’t know if what all he said was true; however, the explanation I gave was more than fitting of the situation.”

“Very well, Jeremiah. And, son?”

 “Yes, sir?”

“I don’t want to hear of any physical violence at school tomorrow, got it?”

“Uh. Yes, sir.”

“I mean it Jeremiah. You fight tomorrow, and I will thrash you.”

Jem felt his cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. Way to be subtle, Pa. he thought miserably. “Yes, sir. I understand.”

“Remember Matthew 5: 38-39 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. It goes on to say, of course I’m paraphrasing, but it says if a man sues you for your coat, give him your cloak too. Don’t give your enemy what they want, which is a fight, but show them kindness. Don’t repay evil with evil, but with good. Let your light shine for Jesus, son. Just something to think about.” Jem watched his father enter the house.

“Well that went over like a flock of dogs. And I got a life lesson too. You know, Nathan, that one actually made sense. Like maybe something I really will use in life. Maybe I am learning after all,” He muttered. “Sorry, I kind of botched it, didn’t I?”

Nathan shuffled his feet. “Yeah, you did, but it’s okay. He would’ve found out anyway.” ‘

Suddenly a high-pitched scream cut through the air. “That’s Mother!” Nathan gasped, turning toward the house.

“Jeremiah Isaiah Coulter, come here!” Pa’s angry voice boomed from the house.

“Uh, Nathan, I think your Ma just found the frog we put in the sugar bowl.”

After a severe scolding, Jem and Nathan sat down to supper, and then went to bed. The next day, school passed uneventfully until recess.

“Coulter, I got a bone to pick with you! What do you got to say for spoilin’ our fun yesterday? You even talked about bringing your sissified Daddy into the mix,” Will Sterling’s voice rang from across the schoolyard.

A hush fell over all the students. Jem leaped to his feet anger evident in every part of his body. “William Sterling, you leave Pa out of this! You call him anymore names you’ll find yourself out cold faster than a candle in a rainstorm! If a fight is what you want, a fight is what you’re gonna--”

Jem broke of as he recalled his conversation with Pa. Let your light shine for Jesus, son. Jesus, please let me be a light for you now. And please let Will see you through me. Who knows, maybe you can still change people. Jem forced himself to relax his stance.

“If a fight is what you want, a fight is not what you’re gonna get,” He muttered, quietly.

“What are you talkin’ about. You go crazy?” Will exploded.

“Nope. I won’t fight you, Will. We can talk about this like two real men, or we can leave it alone, but I refuse to fight.”

“Your such a coward. A chicken! A baby!”

Jem just shrugged.

“Maybe you need some help, is that it?” Will shoved Jem into a tree.

Jem caught himself, then faced Will, unmoving.

Will tried again with the same results. “Why won’t you fight, coward?”

“The Bible says it’s wrong in Matthew 5:38-39. I’m a Christian, I try to obey the Bible.”

“You’ve fought me before!”

“You’re right. I wasn’t a very good Christian influence, Will. I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”

Will stared. “Wow. You’re really changed.”

Jem thought he saw a look he had never seen in Will’s eyes before. Maybe a little sadness and hopelessness mixed with some new hope.

Will let his tough mask fall into place once again. “Whatever, Coulter. You’re crazy,” He turned to walk away.

“You mean you’re not gonna pound the sissy?” Will’s friend asked, incredulously.

“He’s not a sissy at all. He’s actually brave. I’ve never been able to honestly pound him, but no I’m not gonna pound him right now. Maybe not ever.”

Jem stared, mouth agape, until the bell rang. Maybe God did use kids, and maybe God still changed people. God thank you for that. I think what you’ve done for me has pretty much made my life perfect. Now it’s my turn to work for you!

“Jeremiah Coulter! You are three seconds after the tardy bell! I will have to give you extra homework for that!” And then again, maybe God had a little bit of work left to make his life perfect.

The End