Reading Wednesday, time-transposed due to holiday

Les Mis progress:

312 / 755 (41.32%)

We need to allow time for Cosette to grow up by having another large digression. In fact, I am beginning to think that characterizing them as digressions is really neither fair nor accurate. They are the main substance of the book. We are distracted here and there, and our interest is held like a magnetic pointer, by the digressions of the plot.

Anyway, at some point soon I am going to learn all about Marius. Having some Anne Rice damage in my past, I can't help but giggle every once in a while while contemplating his name.

a short note on playground bullies

Today I had a surprising interaction with a playground bully.

April and Simone and various new friends were weaving a wreath into the chain-link fence at Mosswood Park. Apparently they were having some trouble with a boy running in and tearing it apart as they worked. They ran to me to ask for help. I looked up from my perch on the bench, saw a young boy make brief eye contact with me before hopping the fence and running away.

I ambled over to the fence and took up a perch near the wreath.

Soon enough, the boy came back. He tried to hide behind a tree and wait for an opportunity. The other kids kept warning me -- "There he is! Behind the tree!" I said "I see him." I kept quiet but alert watch. He kept peeping around the tree and darting away again. Whatever.

Finally he got a little bolder and stuck his whole head around the tree. To see me looking straight at him.

"I see you," I said. He retreated halfway behind the tree but kept watching me. I kept watching him.

After a minute or so more, I said, "Why don't you stop bothering these kids and find something else to do?"

He stared at me.

"Leave them alone," I repeated. I was quiet but firm. "There's a whole big park here. Go find something else to do."

And he looked behind him, at the whole big park, and ran away.