Beyond the Station Lies the Sea Read Online Free PDF Page A

Queen extends her hand to Niner, and at last they shake on it.
    â€œIt’s a deal,” says the Queen.
    â€œBut in small bills. And with a receipt,” says Cosmos.

    â€œNaturally, sir. Just as you wish,” the Queen of Caracas answers, and at that point she can no longer keep from laughing, for this Cosmos with his little red cap is really quite a character.
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    NEITHER ONE OF THEM has ever run so fast in their lives. They sprint down the street. As far away as they can.
    After all, the Queen of Caracas could still change her mind. She could sneak up behind them, put a hand on Niner’s shoulder, laugh, and say, “Well, you two, you’ve passed the test of clever deal-making. Now quick, hand the cash back over.”
    â€œMan!” Cosmos pants when they finally stop. “That’s a lot of dough! We could get to the sea three times over on that! So much cash, and all for your guardian angel. Unbelievable.”
    Niner says nothing, but he doesn’t look very happy. His knees are shaking, he’s gone completely pale, and the sweat on his brow is hot from running.
    They’re on the bridge over the highway, and the garbage dump feels very far away. That’s what comes of taking to your heels. That’s what comes of being in such a hurry. They’ve already traveled a very long way.
    And I haven’t even got my guardian angel, Niner thinks, and then his knees shake all the more.

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    â€œSPARE THE ROD AND spoil the child,” is how the new guy always put it. “A firm hand never did anyone no harm. You’re much too soft on the boy. Just leave him to me.”
    Still, Mama would come to Niner’s room at night to sit on the edge of his bed and sing him the song about guardian angels. “When I go to sleep at night, fourteen angels hold me tight. . . .” Mama always sang very softly, so the new guy wouldn’t hear.
    But one night he did hear. He came into Niner’s room and pushed Mama off the bed. Then he hit her and bellowed, “How dare you coddle the bastard behind my back again!”
    And Mama put her hands up in front of her face, then ran crying from the room, with the new guy trailing after her.
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    â€œWHAT’S THE MATTER, BUD? Ain’t you excited at all?”
    Cosmos holds the bundle of bills in front of his face and waves it about.
    â€œIt’s all yours, man! Cheer up and say something already.”
    â€œDunno,” says Niner. “All I know is that I no longer have my guardian angel!”
    â€œMan, that’s not the point.”
    â€œIs too! That’s exactly the point!” Niner screams. “If I don’t have my guardian angel, I’m done for, you get it? When
I fall out the window there’s not going to be a bush underneath. There’s just gonna be cement, you get it?”
    â€œNo, I don’t get it. That’s nonsense.”
    â€œOh yeah? Nonsense, is it? And what about that time with your dogs?”
    â€œThat was hypnosis. It wasn’t a guardian angel that kept those dogs back!”
    â€œBut they could’ve torn you to pieces, right? You could’ve died, too. Your stupid hypnosis could’ve failed, couldn’t it?”
    â€œBut it didn’t! What are you tryin’ to prove with that?”
    â€œThat you do too have a guardian angel! Even if you say you don’t.”
    â€œYou’re crazy,” says Cosmos.
    Below them, trucks rumble past on the highway.
    They’re going to the sea, thinks Cosmos, and watches the red taillights fade into the distance. And while he’s watching Niner suddenly turns, quick as lightning, and climbs up onto the railing.
    â€œHey, man, what’re you doing?” yells Cosmos.
    â€œI wanna try something,” says Niner.
    â€œCome on down from there, that’s dangerous!”
    â€œI’m gonna do a balancing act.”
    â€œYou’ll break your neck,” pleads Cosmos.

    But