A Greater Love by Rachel Ann Nunes Read Free Book Online Page A

son, and Miguel knew he had her. “But I’ll buy you a carton, if you don’t mind. I’m getting some for my own family anyway.”
    Miguel allowed his gaze to drop to the ground. “If you can spare it, Senhora,” he said, careful to keep using the respectful title. “I don’t want to put ya out none. But my little sister …” His voice trailed away. The woman scooped up four cartons and put them into the small cart with the rest of her groceries. Next to her eggs, Miguel spied a medium-sized pair of freshly gutted trout wrapped in plastic. He smiled and nodded at the woman; she smiled back.
    “Your mother’s a saint,” he told the little boy. The child was younger than Sara, maybe four. The boy gave Miguel a shy grin, and his mother glowed with unconcealed pleasure.
    Miguel made a great show of helping the lady with her groceries. The clerk behind the register eyed him strangely, but, except for the store nearest his house, Miguel had made sure he didn’t frequent any one place often enough for recognition. Once outside, the woman handed him a carton of milk.
    “Thank you very much, Senhora,” he said. “May the angels smile down from heaven where my mamãe is, and take care of ya. I’m gonna be sure and tell my little lame sister ’bout the kind saint I met today.” Was he laying it on too thick? Maybe.
    The lady hesitated, then picked up another carton of milk and handed it to him.
    Miguel pronounced more blessings upon her, but she seemed satisfied with her bounty and turned up the street, lugging a stuffed bag of groceries in one hand and holding onto her son’s chubby fist with the other. The little boy turned and gave a short wave. Miguel waved back before walking into the alleyway out of their sight. Only then did he yield to the large grin that nearly cut his face in two. From underneath his sweater, he pulled the package of trout. He laughed.
    A bout of coughing shook him, cutting short his moment of glee. Darting a sharp look around, he retrieved the plastic bag he kept in his pocket and put the fish and milk inside. He couldn’t believe what a wonderful day this had been. Tonight he would make a fire and cook both of the fish. His mouth watered at the thought.
    A flash of red down the alley caught Miguel’s eyes. A long, thick scarf hung from a clothesline that crossed the street, heavy with various items even in the cold of winter. The sight was common enough, but the red reminded Miguel of Sara. Red was her favorite color.
    A few children darted into the narrow street and began playing ball. They wore heavy coats and Miguel shivered, reminding himself that it was time to get home. He started through the alleyway, passing the children. Overhead, he spied again the flash of red. Impulsively, he jumped, grabbing for the scarf, and landed with his feet pumping against the cobbled stairs. He heard a shout behind him, but he didn’t stop running. Now he had a present for Sara.
    He was nearly home when two boys his age stepped out in front of him. A cold lump of fear grew in his gut as he recognized the nameless leader of the rich boys who’d been harassing him. It was the first time in the few days since the rotten fruit trick that he had seen any of them.
    “Better be careful,” Miguel warned. He lifted the plastic sack in his hands. “I got another surprise in here for ya.”
    The boys stepped back nervously, and only fear stopped Miguel from grinning. There was no way they could know he had nothing but fish and milk in the bag, along with the scarf he’d just stolen.
     The leader raised his chin. “We want you to know that we haven’t given up. You’re going to pay for what you did. And pay big!”
    Miguel raised his bag overhead as if he were going to throw it. The boys retreated further. Miguel lunged toward them and they bolted. “We’re going to get you!” the leader called over his shoulder. “We’re going to sweep our streets clean of trash like you. Wait and