100 Words

The Old Bait-n-Switch

Thrifty word challenge 100 #52: Powering Down

Photo by Sammy Williams on Unsplash

“What you gonna do about it?”

Patrick glowered over me,
having pushed me down twice.

I rose, eager to dispense wrath in-kind,
but froze; his chin,
jutted,
screaming, “Do it!”;

hesitation — wait a minute,
something’s fishy — no witnesses –

two lone shipmates
cleaning a classroom
after receiving orders — I’d picked third

– ahead of Patrick due to higher grades –

and chose Everett, Washington,
orders he coveted.

My black mentors warned me of such tactics.

Had I retaliated,
I’d be in the brig, pending court martial,
and Patrick would have my orders.

After a cleansing breath, I smirked.
“Nice try, idiot.” I said.

©Barry Dawson Jr. IV ~ 2022

Written for The Bad Influence — Thrifty word challenge 100 #52: Powering Down, hosted by…