Mary’s Son by Darryl Nyznyk Read Free Book Online

didn’t.
     
    “Did you enjoy the singing?” he asked, ignoring her look.
    “My Daddy hired you to stay with me, not all those others,” Sarah said, ignoring Nicholas’s buoyant mood and the fact that he hadn’t been hired at all. “You were supposed to be with me all day.”
    “But Mr. Stevens was helping you, Sarah…and doing a very good job. You didn’t need me,” Nicholas responded.
    “Yes, I did. More than those others…I.… You were supposed to be with me!” she declared. She turned away to hide the tears of frustration welling up in her eyes and ran toward the exit.
    Nicholas and Stevens glanced sadly at each other and followed the young girl, who suddenly looked so small and fragile.
    In the back of the car on the way home, Sarah stared out her window. Nicholas waited for several minutes before speaking quietly. “I was hoping you’d want to join us, Sarah.
    This season is not just about gifts. It’s a time of joy, of song, and most of all, my dear, it’s a time for all to share with others and try to bring happiness to those who are less fortunate than we are.”
     
    “No!” Sarah turned sharply and shouted. “No…I don’t want to hear anymore. I share enough. I share my daddy with the whole world. I don’t have to share anything else.”
    She again turned away and glared angrily out, into the passing world.

- 5 -
     
    By the time Jared returned home, day had settled into early evening. He turned up the potholed driveway, hands stuffed in his pockets and his head bowed, deep in thought over the day’s events. Suddenly, out of the shadows, a tall, burly figure leaped at him and grabbed his arm. Jared jumped away and struggled desperately against the attacker, who was a good six inches taller and at least one hundred pounds heavier. The youth kicked and struggled to free himself from the man’s grasp before he was suddenly shoved backward.
     
    “Hey, relax,” the man shouted. “I got news for you.” Jared recognized Enrique (Hank) Hernandez, Hammer’s uncle. He worked on the grounds at the Stone estate. At thirty years old, Hank was strong, muscular, and still a local gang member of considerable repute.
    “God, Hank…you scared me to death,” Jared whispered angrily.
    “I’ll do more than that if you screw this up, punk.” Hank stepped fully into the light and glared at Jared, who returneda defiant glare of his own. Hank continued with a chuckle, “You think you’re tough, huh? We’ll see if you can pull this job off.”
    “What do you want?” Jared asked.
    “My girl’s leaving the library window open tomorrow night. You know where it is?”
    “Yeah, if your layout of the house is right.”
    “It’s right, man. Let’s see if you and that good-for-nothing nephew of mine can do something right.”
    “Don’t worry,” Jared shook his head and turned slowly to the house, listening carefully for any sudden move from Hank.
    “Don’t mess with me, man,” Hank warned as he turned with a self-satisfied grin and nonchalantly walked away.

     
    NICHOLAS unpacked toiletries and clothing, stopping occasionally in surprise at some of the modern items he was pulling from his case. When he was nearly finished, he reached in for the last item, a small glass globe perched atop a wooden base. Inside the globe was an intricately carved scene of a stable in which Joseph and Mary knelt, looking adoringly over the baby Jesus in a manger. The three figures were surrounded by figurines of shepherds kneeling before Jesus’crib. Nicholas smiled and placed the globe on the end table next to his bed. He removed his coat, worked on the bowtie, and sat on the edge of the bed, tired and pensive. He stared at the Nativity scene.
     
    “Dear Lord,” he began to pray softly, “please help me with this child. She is so sad and angry…yet I don’t know how to reach her. Please show me the way.”
    At that moment there was a light knock at the door. It opened slowly, and Stevens poked his head