Fight for Justice

by Lori Saigeon

  Contents

  Title Page

  Book & Copyright Information

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  About the Author

  © Lori Saigeon, 2009

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher or a licence from The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright). For an Access Copyright licence, visit www.accesscopyright.ca or call toll free to 1-800-893-5777.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Edited by Barbara Sapergia

  Cover image from iStockphoto.com

  Cover montage and design by Duncan Campbell

  Book design by Karen Steadman

  Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

  Saigeon, Lori, 1964–

  Fight for Justice / Lori Saigeon.

  ISBN 978–1–55050–405–7

  I. Title.

  PS8637.A448F54 2009 jC813'.6 C2009-903549-9

  Available in Canada from:

  Coteau Books

  2517 Victoria Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan Canada S4P 0T2

  www.coteaubooks.com

  The publisher gratefully acknowledges the financial support of its publishing program by: the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program (bpidp), and the City of Regina Arts Commission.

  For my children, Anna-Maria, Daniel and Michael,

  who mean the world to me.

  For Heather, whose unfailing love, faith

  and patience sustain me.

  For my students, who inspire me to write

  and to keep finding quality literature for children.

  For my family, especially my dad, Ed,

  whose support has been invaluable over the years.

  For God, Author of all of life.

  I love you all.

  Chapter 1

  Justice Stoneyplain stepped out of his house and sucked in his breath. The cool air caught him by surprise. There was an autumn bite in the air of Monarch City that hadn’t been there yesterday and he shivered as he shrugged into his jacket.

  Justice was on his way to the Shop ’n’ Go for a treat. His five-dollar allowance, fifty cents for every year of his age, was burning a hole in his pocket and he knew chips and chocolate bars were waiting for him there.

  It was Saturday, Mom’s “chore day.” Justice was glad to be done his jobs. His twin sister, Charity, wasn’t so lucky. Being a girl, she had to vacuum and wash the floors. Justice got away with doing the dishes and taking out the garbage. He knew it was easier but he never said anything to Charity and she didn’t seem to mind.

  Rounding the corner, Justice noticed a group of kids ahead. There were five or six boys and a couple of girls, some from his school. As he zipped his jacket up, he glanced up and down the street. It was quiet for a Saturday. No one he knew was outside. Now he wished he did have Charity with him. She had an easy way with people and their mom said she could talk her way out of anything.

  The kids huddled together, talking, but broke away from each other as he drew closer. Justice couldn’t help but be reminded of a bunch of geese he saw down at Oskana Park last summer. He wondered what they could be up to so early on the weekend.

  “Hey, Pretty Boy,” the tallest boy called out. Trey. Justice knew him from school. Trey used to be friendly, but when he called Justice “Pretty Boy,” it wasn’t a sign of friendship. He was getting even for something – Justice could only guess what.

  Trey came from kind of a rough family – his older brother had lots of parties at their house and the police were called there by neighbours every once in a while. Trey was athletic and fast on the playground, but Justice could pretty much keep up with him.

  “I’m talking to you, Pretty Boy!” Trey spoke again, sounding loud and harsh. He looked bigger than Justice remembered, too.

  “What?” Justice replied, trying to keep his voice low and steady.

  “Whatcha doin’?” asked a boy Justice didn’t know. Was he from another school in the neighbourhood?

  “I’m just going somewhere.” Justice shrugged. “I – uh, I’m kind of in a hurry.”

  The crowd of kids laughed together. “Oh, he’s in a hurry,” mimicked one of the girls. “Did his mama send him out for some milk?”

  Justice almost said something back, then thought better of it. There was no sense in giving them another reason to pick on him.

  As Justice edged his way through the group, somebody’s foot went out and he tripped. He caught himself just before sprawling on the sidewalk. Great! That would’ve been the last straw – falling in front of everyone.

  “Nice dance moves, Pretty Boy,” giggled another girl, loud enough for him to hear. The whole group laughed. Justice felt his face flush. I should tell them what I really think.

  “Don’t be stupid,” he muttered to himself. As he crossed the road toward the store, he glanced back at the crowd. They had already turned back together. What are they doing? Justice wondered. They seemed to have forgotten all about him, except for one boy, Jimmy, whose eyes followed Justice. When he noticed Justice looking back at him, he turned away. Justice thought he saw a sad look cross Jimmy’s face. Why would anyone stay friends with kids he doesn’t like?

  Justice was relieved to reach the doors of the Shop ’n’ Go and feel the warm air engulf him. Charlie, the weekend guy, was at his usual spot at the till.

  “Hi, Justice,” called Charlie in a friendly voice. “You’re out early today. Got paid, eh?”

  “Yeah,” Justice chuckled. Charlie knew Justice always spent at least half his allowance every week. His mom told him he’d never save enough for a game system, but he didn’t care too much. He liked his Saturday treats.

  “Where’s Charity?” Charlie persisted. “She don’t get no treats today?”

  Justice thought about Charity, at home finishing her chores and maybe setting out for here – alone. Guilt stabbed his guts.

  “She’s coming later,” he tried to explain. “She’s busy.” That sounded hollow, even to Justice’s own ears.

  As he browsed the shelves of junk food, he wondered where she might be right now. Was she on her way already? Justice picked up a Chunky Peanut Bar and replaced it without looking at it. Charity would probably have to pass the same group of kids he’d just encountered. He glanced over the various types of nacho chips and cheese snacks. Charity might be coming out of the house right now.

  Justice finally gave up trying to enjoy choosing between candy and chips, and headed for the door.

  “I’ll be back later, Charlie,” Justice called as he shot out of the store, leaving Charlie with a puzzled look on his face.

  •••

  Justice could still see the group of kids milling around down the street. He decided to take the alley home. “I should be able to walk where I want,” he mumbled. Head down, mulling over his decision, he almost ran smack into Shaunie, a girl from his class.

  “Hey, Ju
stice.” Shaunie smiled, the new red streaks in her hair catching the sunlight.

  “Hi,” Justice muttered. He never knew what to say to Shaunie and he could tell it wouldn’t be any better this time.

  “Where you goin’?” Shaunie asked.

  “Home.” Very smooth, thought Justice. You’re so cool, Pretty Boy.

  “Oh.” Shaunie’s smile faltered, her dark eyes losing a little of their sparkle. She seemed to have run out of things to say, too.

  They stood for a moment in the crispy leaves behind someone’s garage, not looking at each other. The wind whistled in Justice’s ears. A moment dragged by, feeling like an hour. Shaunie kicked at something in the gravel. Justice began to feel uncomfortably hot inside his light jacket, despite the cool temperature.

  “Well, I better go,” he said, backing away and trying to sound as though he really had to leave.

  “Okay,” said Shaunie, her voice relaxing. “See you later.”

  “Yeah, see ya,” called Justice, already metres away and moving in the other direction. A minute later he burst in the door, almost colliding with Charity on her way out.

  “What’s the matter?” she exclaimed.

  “Nothing!” Justice sounded gruffer than he meant to.

  “You look like a ghost is chasing you!”

  “I’m just in a hurry. Why is everyone so surprised about that?”

  “Okay, don’t be so touchy! Jeez!” Charity crossed her arms and huffed. Justice pushed past her, bounded up the stairs to his room and flopped on his bed.

  “Jus! Shoes!” his mom called from the living room. How does she know? He kicked his shoes off. Charity was right behind him.

  “Aren’t you going to the Shop ’n’ Go?” Charity persisted, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

  “Nah,” he said, making his voice casual. “I’ll go later. I got stuff to do.”

  “Okay.” Charity paused for a moment before turning to go. “See you later.”

  “Yeah, see ya.” Justice turned to the wall. Why was everything so complicated? His stomach lurched as he pictured Charity walking past Trey and the others standing around on the sidewalk.

  “Charity, wait!” he called, “I’m coming with you!”

  Chapter 2

  Justice threw on his jacket as he jogged to catch up to Charity a few houses down. “Why didn’t you wait for me?” he groused.

  “’Cause you’re too grouchy,” she replied. She tried to look angry, but Justice knew she was actually hurt. That was the thing about being a twin. It was hard to hide your feelings from each other. It made Justice hope they didn’t run into Shaunie again.

  “Am not,” Justice argued weakly.

  “Where were you before?” Charity asked. “I thought you were going to the Shop ’n’ Go when you left after chores.”

  “Yeah, well, I changed my mind.” Why did he try to lie to Charity? She would know in a second it wasn’t true.

  “Oh.” She sounded like she wanted to say more. “Well, now you can help me carry home the bread and cheese mom wants.”

  Great. Now he really was going to shop for his mommy. “Yeah, well, maybe I can’t.” Why am I being like this?

  “Whaddya mean...?” Charity rounded on him, but stopped abruptly as they turned the corner. He didn’t have a chance to answer, stopping short as he saw Shaunie at the end of the alley. She was talking to the same group of kids Justice had run into.

  As Justice and Charity got within earshot of the group, one of the girls Justice didn’t know suddenly shoved Shaunie on the shoulders, pushing her into another kid. Justice heard Charity suck in a quick breath.

  “I’m not a loser!” Shaunie yelled. Her lips were pursed and her face looked tight. “You’re the loser!” She punctuated this with a shove of her own.

  The other girl’s reaction was immediate. She regained her balance and pushed Shaunie back, harder. “You shut up!”

  Shaunie’s flushed face betrayed her feelings. The others began to egg on their friend.

  “Punch her lights out, Billie!” Trey shouted. Billie – that was the girl Justice didn’t know.

  “Don’t take that, Billie!” another girl called. Justice recognized her from school but he didn’t know her name yet. She was new in the neighbourhood and not in Justice’s class.

  Shaunie and Billie had squared off, staring at each other, as Justice and Charity ran up to the group.

  “Shaunie,” Charity called, wide-eyed and breathless. “What’re you doing?”

  Justice glanced at Charity. She and Shaunie hung around together off and on.

  Shaunie might have heard Charity but she paid no attention. Her eyes were glued to Billie.

  “You guys leave her alone,” Justice said. His voice sounded weak, even to himself. Why am I so wimpy?

  “Why don’t you leave us alone?” The boy Justice didn’t know swung around to face Justice and Charity. “Beat it, wuss.”

  Justice felt his heart suddenly pick up speed. There was a muffled roaring in his ears. “Shut up.” He was surprised to hear his own voice. The group turned to stare at him. Why did I open my big mouth? Justice wondered.

  “What was that, wuss?” Trey stepped toward the twins, baring his teeth like a bear. “You’re not gonna tell me what to do.” The group began to circle around Justice and Charity, Shaunie and Billie forgotten.

  “Just leave her alone,” Justice repeated.

  “Who’s gonna make me?” Trey mocked. “Your mommy?” The other kids laughed – a sharp, humourless sound.

  “Me,” Justice surprised himself. “I’m gonna make you.”

  “You little snot,” sneered Trey. “You’ll be sorry you said that.” He balled his fists and towered over Justice. Justice felt his mouth go dry. What had he done?

  The sound of a car braking suddenly drew everyone’s attention. Trey’s head whipped around, and Justice’s eyes fell on Officer Robertson’s patrol car. Most of the kids knew her from her various visits to their school. They often saw her for safety presentations.

  “Hey, kids!” she called cheerfully out the open passenger window. “You guys are out early for a Saturday! Everything okay?”

  Relief flooded Justice’s body. His knees shook and he didn’t trust himself to answer.

  Trey swaggered over to the officer’s car, his menacing grin instantly changing to a friendly one. “Yeah, sure, Officer Robertson,” he answered immediately. “Everything’s great.”

  What a liar! Justice thought. How can anyone change so fast?

  “Super.” Officer Robertson prepared to drive off. “You guys take care, okay?”

  “Okay!” the group of kids called, smiling and waving. Justice couldn’t believe they were the same kids who had been threatening Shaunie and him a minute ago.

  Charity took that as her cue. “Let’s go,” she mumbled sideways. “Come on, Shaunie.” She pulled Shaunie by the arm and the three headed for the Shop ’n’ Go. Justice spent the whole trip expecting Trey and his friends to be around every corner.

  Chapter 3

  Sunday seemed to drag on and on. Justice wasn’t enjoying his junk food treats. They just reminded him of the near-fight he’d had yesterday. Even the thought of heading out to the pool for their regular Sunday swim didn’t excite him today.

  “Jus! Chare! You guys ready to go?” Mom called up the stairs.

  Justice dropped to his knees and scrabbled through the bottom drawer of his dresser for his swim stuff. “Coming, Mom!” he called back. As he yanked his trunks and towel out, a few pairs of underwear went flying.

  It was a long way to the Pearson Aquatic Centre, but the swim was worth the walk on a nice day. As they strode along Wetmore Street, Charity and Mom chatted away like sisters. “We’re working on a project at school,” Charity was explaining to their mom. “It’s about our favourite place in Canada.”

  “Which place did you pick,” teased Mom, “the Shop ’n’ Go? You go there often enough.”

  “No,” Charity giggled. “
It’s supposed to be a city or a big place. We saw a movie about places in Canada and I picked Toronto. It looks so exciting!” She added, “I want to go there some day.”

  “Well, I hope you don’t go soon, my girl,” Mom replied. “It may look exciting, but it’s far away and I’d miss you. Kokum and Mushum, too.”

  “I know, Mom,” Charity said. “I wouldn’t want to leave you guys.” She paused. “Maybe I’ll just visit there.” She smiled and took a bouncy step.

  “Good for you, Chare” Mom gave her shoulders a quick squeeze. “Don’t forget where you came from.” Mom looked back at Justice, slouching along a few paces behind. “How about you, Justice? Where did you pick?”

  “He picked the rez!” Charity jumped in. “Why would he want to write about the reserve? It isn’t new or exciting or even big!” That was the closest Charity ever came to criticizing anyone – wondering why he chose an option she didn’t agree with.

  “Why don’t you let him tell us,” Mom said gently. “I bet he knows why he picked it.”

  Justice felt his ears burn. “I like the rez and I want to write about it. Mr. Wilson said I could.” His reason felt silly when he said it out loud, although his teacher hadn’t thought so.

  “That’s great, Jus.” Mom smiled. “You stay proud of where you’re from.” Justice returned her smile.

  “Well I picked Toronto,” repeated Charity. “It looks exciting.”

  Not as exciting as the reserve, Justice thought. But he knew it was futile to argue once Charity had made up her mind.

  Warm, chlorinated air met the family at the door as they entered the Pearson Aquatic Centre. As Mom paid, Justice peeked in and saw Vance from school. Great, he thought, we can hang out together.