JJ And A Dog Named Rufus

She was still in her bedclothes, her hair was unkempt, and her face was pale and drawn.

She filled her water pitcher from the fridge and went back upstairs.

There was no sign of his father.

He opened a package of Mac & Cheese and cooked it. He took it upstairs and ate his dinner in front of his computer.

About a month later, when he got home from school, he saw a package at the front door for his mother.

He brought the parcel to his room, opened it, and replaced two-thirds of the pills with the placebo. He sealed the parcel, put it on the kitchen table, and went back upstairs.

The next day, he was feeling depressed and slowly walked home from school.

There was a new subdivision under construction along his route home. As he approached the area, four teens surrounded him.

The oldest boy, about seventeen, demanded money from him.

Startled, JJ said he didn't have any cash to give them.

“We know you have a credit card; give it to me,” said the boy.

“No,” said JJ flatly.

“Get him,” said the boy.

Before they started to move, JJ informed them that he had a black belt in martial arts.

“Get him,” the boy repeated.

Three boys rushed him from different directions, fists ready.

A minute later, the three boys were lying on the ground in pain.