Free The Brave by Robert Lipsyte

hands.”
    Clap.
    His hands felt hot.
    â€œRunning Braves listen with their eyes, study people.” The light behind Jake rose into the sky. Sonny couldn’t see the old man’s eyes.
    Clap.
    His arms and shoulders ached.
    â€œKeep ’em up,” said Jake. He was in silhouette. “Watch for signals.”
    It was dawn, the sky was a light blue and he couldn’t see Jake’s eyes. He could barely see his hands.
    Clap…clap…clap …
    His upper body was on fire, the scars had all torn open, his guts were slithering out into the dust and the rising sun blinded him.
    The monster said, Throw the hook, he’s right in front of you now, he deserves it. He swallowed the monster down and tasted his own vomit. He tricked you, he didn’t play fair, he didn’t tell you the key to the game was position. He maneuvered you into the sun.
    â€œStop,” said Jake. “Learn anything?”
    â€œYou always got to know where you are.”
    The old man grunted. “Maybe you ain’t as dumb as you look. One more little game.”
    He motioned Sonny to sit down on theground, cross his legs. “Remember the animal alphabet?”
    â€œHeard it enough as a kid.”
    â€œListen real close. When I’m done, I’m gonna ask you one question. Ready?”
    â€œGo.” He felt wide awake, his mind and body emptied and open.
    â€œThe Creator gave the ant strength beyond its size, taught the beaver to build, the coyote to trick. The deer got speed and the elephant got a good memory. You remember all that, Sonny?”
    â€œKeep going.” He wasn’t going to let Jake distract him. He made a mental picture of each animal’s gift. He’d be ready when Jake asked his question.
    â€œFox got slyness, goat don’t get discouraged, the hawk has vision, the iguana change color, the jackrabbit’s quick, the kangaroo got a baby pocket, the loon got a special voice, am I going too fast for you?”
    â€œNo problem.”
    â€œMonkey smart, nightingale sings, owl is wise, possum can play dead, queen bee knows how to boss, the rattlesnake’s got poison, the snipe can go real deep with its bill, turtle’ssteady, vulture eat anything, wolf’s got a pack, the X-ray eel can zap you good, yak’s strong and zebra’s got stripes.” Jake grinned triumphantly. “Ain’t done that in a while. So?”
    â€œSo what’s the question?”
    â€œJust asked it. What didn’t you hear?” Jake chuckled and rocked on his bony haunches. “Something missing. What?”
    Another trick. Sonny felt suddenly small and stupid. “I don’t know.”
    â€œThe letter u. No creature for u.” Jake slapped his knee. “People can only think of one thing at a time. You can confuse ’em, set ’em off in another direction. But a Running Brave got to be thinking everything all the time.”
    â€œI had enough.” Sonny stood up. What am I doing here in my underpants in the middle of this sad-ass slum with an old crazy? “This isn’t going to work.”
    â€œRunning Braves concentrate, listen, think.”
    â€œYou’re just getting off on me, Jake. Sticks and clapping and kids’ games. You’ve seen too many movies. Think this is some kind of Redskin Karate Kid?”
    â€œJaps smart, too,” said Jake. “Good fighters. Had to kill a few in the Big War. That’s why Icouldn’t be a chief. Moscondaga chiefs can’t have human blood on their hands.”
    â€œYou couldn’t be a chief because you live in the past, you believe in fairy tales.”
    Jake stood up. “What’s your excuse?”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œFor feeling sorry for yourself, for letting life happen to you ’stead of grabbing at it. You got a chance here, get in shape, learn to box, maybe be a fighter. Brooks thinks you can really do it. I’m not so sure. You got the worst