Chương 29: The Black Boy Was Beaten To Bruise

Tommy stumbled to his front door, shivering violently in the icy night air. His bare chest was raw and red from the cold, each breath a sharp sting in his lungs. 

His fingers fumbled in his pocket, numb and uncooperative as he tried to grasp his key. 

Unfortunately, it slipped from his hand and fell to the ground with a metallic clink.

"Damn it!" he muttered, dropping to his knees to retrieve it. His body screamed in protest as he bent down, his ribs aching from the kicks he'd taken earlier. 

"Why we gotta get ourselves involved with Tennessee, hon?" he cursed under his breath.

He finally managed to grasp the key, his fingers barely responsive. Tears blurred his vision, mixing with the blood and dirt on his face. 

"And Benjamin... I'm tellin' you, he won't never put his hands on me no more!" he vowed, his voice shaking with anger and humiliation. 

The walk home had been a nightmare. His jaw was swollen, his eyes puffy and bruised.