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After that, Parson made a habit of avoiding Damian whenever he saw him. He was a timid boy, Parson, and Damian was older by almost a year.
Then Parson met another boy who lived in the village, one whom he had seen around a few times but never learned the name of until their mothers forced them to play together.
The boys mother said his name was Jonah, and he even answered to it when she called for him. Yet, when Parson was alone with him, the boy suddenly started acting otherwise.
Dont call me that! he said, hanging from a tree branch like a monkey.
Parson was confused. Dont call you what?
Jonah! My names not Jonah!
Then why did your mother--?
Shut up! Shes stupid! She doesnt know anything!
Parson didnt believe him, but he decided to play along. Alright, so whats your real name, then?
Jonah hopped down from the tree and landed with showy toughness. My real name is Parson.
Parsons face scrunched up. What?! No, it isnt!
Yeah, it is!
Nuh-uh! Youre a liar!
No, Im not! My names Parson! You have to call me that from now on!
No, I dont! Liar!
Yeah, you do! Thats how names work, idiot!
That was it. Oh yeah?! Maybe Ill tell your mom that you said she was stupid!
What?! That seemed to rattle him. You better not!
Or what, huh?!
Or--! Or Ill tell everyone your stupid dog bit me, too! Then youll be sorry!
So Parson punched him.
Then Jonah punched him back.
It was the first fight Parson ever got into. It really hurt.
When both boys returned with black eyes and ripped clothes, their mothers were indignant. Parson got ten whips with fathers old belt. His mother didnt seem to have any trouble carrying out the sentence in the mans absence, nor did she care to listen to his claims that Jonah had it coming.
When he saw Jonah the next day, though, the boy seemed different.
Im sorry for what I said before. Jonahs eyes were at his feet.
Parson checked to make sure the coast was clear, wondering if his mother was putting him up to this.
Oh. Yep. There she was in the window, watching them.
Better put on a good show for her, then. Dont worry about it, said Parson, and he stuck his hand out to shake on it. Im sorry, too.
Jonah took the handshake with a big smile.
Huh.
It was only supposed to be for pretend, but as they continued to spend more time together, it became clear that Jonah didnt realize that. The little jerk actually took the words to heart.
Well, that was fine, Parson supposed. He still didnt like Jonah very much, but it was better than another spanking.
And they became friends. More or less.
My name really isnt Jonah, though.
Parson rolled his eyes. So what is it, then?
Its Peter. You have to call me Peter from now on.
Ugh. Fine. Youre Peter now.
Yes! Thanks, Parson!
Sure.