Glory (Book 3) by Michael McManamon Read Free Book Online

if his brother had been one of the two bodies she had seen lying in the garden. She didn't think it necessary to ask. It didn't matter which dead body was this little boy's brother. All that mattered was that he was dead.
    "So, you're alone?"
    The boy started to shake his head, then thought better of it. He ran off down the hallway and disappeared into one of the rooms.
    Jane and Charles exchanged another uneasy glance.
    "Should we follow him?" Jane asked, standing up.
    Before Charles could answer, the little boy came charging back into the hallway. He was holding something in his hand. A big, blue stuffed animal. A bunny rabbit. Its ears flopped around as the boy approached. He held it up for Jane and Charles to see.
    "This is Mr. Baker," he said.
    Jane forced a smile for the little boy's sake. She could tell that he was proud of his little toy. Though something about it saddened her . This little child had been left alone with nothing more than a stuffed animal to take care of him.
    "It's nice to meet you," Charles said. He stuck out his hand and grabbed the stuffed animal's paw. He shook it a few times. "My name is Charles."
    The boy smiled, pleased at Charles' introduction. Jane figured that she should follow suit.
    "And I'm Jane," she said. She, too, shook the bunny's paw. Then she turned back to the little boy. "And what i s you r name?"
    He looked up at Jane with his big, dark eyes. "I'm Robert. And I'm five years old."
    Jane's heart dropped when she heard the boy's age. She knew that he was young. She could tell by looking at him. But hearing it from him was something else. It made it more real somehow, made her realize the severity of their situation and how unfortunate this child had been. She couldn't speak.
    Charles decided to speak for her. "You're five years old?"
    Robert nodded his head.
    "I don't believe it. I was sure that you were at least 6 or 7. You're such a big boy!"
    Robert's smile widened. He stood up straighter. "Nope," he said. "I'm only five. Honest."
    "Well, I believe you," Charles said. "But you're a big one!" He reached over and patted the young boy on the head. Robert didn't pull away from his touch.
    Jane watched the conversation unfold. And, though she was still saddened by the boy's situation, she couldn't help but smile along with him. Robert looked so proud at Charles' words. Charles looked so proud that he had said them.
    "Now," Charles continued. "Is there anything to drink around here? I'm thirsty."
    "You bet," Robert replied. He turned and ran off down the hallway.
    Jane looked at Charles. The old man smiled. Then he held out his hand in a gesture that sai d ladies firs t .
    Jane turned to follow the boy. So did Charles.
    Though, before he got very far, he turned back to the window to take another look.
     

Chapter 7
    Jane followed Robert into the kitchen and placed her backpack on the ground. The little boy climbed onto the kitchen countertop as she did.
    "What are you doing?" she asked, nervously.
    "Glasses," the little boy said. "You need glasses."
    At first, Jane wasn't sure what he was talking about. She thought that he was referring to her eyesight. But that didn't seem right.
    She watched as the little boy raise his arm to reach for the cupboard . Oh, those glasses ! "Let me help you."
    She walked over to the little boy and reached over his head. She opened the cupboard and pulled out three of them.
    "Over there," Robert said. He pointed to the kitchen table.
    She made her way over to it.
    As she put the glasses down, Jane couldn't help but notice the state of the table. On top of it there were two cereal boxes. Both opened. One was lying down. Cereal had spilled out from it onto the floor. There was also a bowl filled with cereal and milk. The milk had been spilled all over the table.
    Jane looked at the little child. His expression conveyed guilt.
    "I spilled them," he admitted.
    She raised the corners of her lips. She didn't want him to think that he had done anything wrong.