Forged by Fire by Sharon M. Draper Read Free Book Online Page B

each day by dealing with necessities—going to school, looking out for Angel, and hating Jordan Sparks. Jordan was mean—he smacked Gerald on the back of his head if he got a C on his report card, he punched him on his arm if he spilled the milk, and he whacked him on his legs for not bringing him a beer fast enough. When Monique tried to speak up, he only laughed and said, “Shut up, woman! I’m gonna make that stupid boy of yours a man!” Gerald had learned to dodge and duck, but he wasn’t always fast enough.
    He couldn’t understand why Monique stayed withJordan. He had asked her once, and her answer was more frightening than the question. It was the Friday before school started. Monique was laughing and dancing to a new song on the radio with Angel. Jordan wasn’t home.
    Angel looked relaxed and happier than he had seen her in a long time. She was a natural dancer—her petite frame and her long, graceful limbs made her movements seem as if they melted into the music.
    Monique collapsed, laughing, onto the couch next to Gerald as the fast song ended and was replaced by a slow, haunting melody. Angel had forgotten their presence, and was moving, eyes closed, to the sweet rhythm of the song. Gerald glanced at Angel, and then at Monique.
    â€œThis is the first time I’ve seen Angel so happy, Monique.” (He still couldn’t bring himself to call her Mama again.) “She’s always so nervous and scared around Jordan.”
    â€œJordan loves that child, Gerald,” replied Monique defensively. “Do you know he goes to her room every single night when he gets home just to tuck her in and kiss her good night? Even if she’s asleep, he goes in there and spends a few minutes with her. I can’t figure out why she acts so scared and stupid all the time when he’s around. It gets on my nerves!”
    â€œAren’t you scared of him too, Monique?”
    â€œNo, baby, that ain’t fear—that’s respect. He’s a man and I’m a woman. He’s stronger and tougher and he takes care of me. It’s okay if he gets a little rough sometimes.That’s just to show me who’s boss, and to show me he loves me.”
    Gerald, who had grown up with the strength and toughness of Aunt Queen, didn’t think that Monique made much sense. He knew he should leave it alone, but he had to ask. “Monique, why don’t we just leave Jordan? Me and you and Angel could be real happy—and we wouldn’t have to be scared anymore.”
    Monique, eyes flashing, mood destroyed, turned on Gerald. “You shut up with that kind of talk, you hear! Jordan took you in and buys you food and clothes and tries to be a good father to you and Angel! You better learn some respect, boy! Who you think you are?” She had stormed out of the room then, ripping the radio out of the socket, abruptly stopping Angel’s dance.
    That was the last time he had tried to talk to Monique about anything more complicated than homework or shoes or mashed potatoes. Angel was right—he felt cold inside. And on this Christmas morning, he felt cold outside as well. He slipped out of bed and shivered as his feet touched the cold floor, then he tiptoed to the window and saw that it had snowed. He smiled in spite of himself. Aunt Queen had loved snow on Christmas morning. The rest of the year she had no patience with it—but Christmas snow was magic snow, she always said.
    Gerald wanted to show Angel. It didn’t snow much in Atlanta, and she had never seen a fresh Christmas snowfall. He opened his door and was surprised to see Jordanleaving the small room near the kitchen where Angel slept. Jordan didn’t see Gerald—he just slipped into the room that he and Monique shared and closed the door quietly.
    Gerald, fearful of what he might find, refusing to even imagine what he had discovered, raced across the cold floor and opened Angel’s door. Her