RISING UP

Rua heard a crack!

He hoped the latest smack in the mouth hadn’t damaged his teeth.

He felt great relief when he realised they were all present and accounted for. The four boys responsible walked off laughing and fist bumped each other.

Although he was a big Māori he was still smaller than the boys in the years above him at school and they liked to show him who was boss. He hadn’t lost any teeth that day but there was still blood to be cleaned up from another kick in the mouth.

They loved to kick him when he was down and it took four of them to put him there. Rua was aware that what didn’t kill him made him stronger but taking a beating most days was no fun.