That Was Then, This is Now

by S.E. Hinton

Running is just an invitation to be chased,

Parents never know what all their kids do. Not in the old days, not now, not tomorrow. It’s a law.

“Brass knuckles, guns, or whatever,” Mark said in a voice I couldn’t even recognize as Mark’s, “you’ll know you been in a fight if you tangle with me.”

The kids had worn them down by being pleasantly smart-aleck and smilingly uncooperative,

“Thanks for letting me use your car, Charlie. Thanks for saving my life.”

Nothing can wear you out like caring about people.