Forged by Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

meal.
    Queen said to the child, “Come over here, honey, and let’s wash those sticky hands. How about if I slice an apple for you?” Angel nodded. “So,” Aunt Queen asked her gently, “tell me what you think of your brother.”
    Angel smiled softly. “I think he’s scared.”
    â€œYou’re right, little one. I think we’re all a little scared,” replied Aunt Queen.

SIX
    M ONIQUE AND JORDAN got tired of waiting for Gerald to return and decided to leave and come back later. Monique was worried, and Jordan, sullen and angry-looking, made her nervous and unable to sit still. They left Angel with Aunt Queen and promised to return in a couple of hours. Angel didn’t even look up when they left.
    Aunt Queen could see that the child needed some serious mothering. She picked her up with ease, sat Angel on her lap, and just held her for a few minutes. Angel at first was stiff and almost trembling. Gradually she relaxed and let herself sink into the warmth of Aunt Queen’s hug.
    â€œSo, how do you like Cincinnati, little one?” asked Queen softly.
    â€œIt’s okay,” whispered Angel.
    â€œDo you miss your friends in Atlanta?”
    â€œI didn’t have no friends.”
    â€œWhat about your grandma? Don’t you miss her?”
    â€œShe usta yell a lot. She said she was glad I was leavin’. She said I cry too much.”
    Queen tensed with anger, but didn’t want to show Angel. “It’s okay to cry, little one,” said Queen as she held the trembling little body. “Nobody’s gonna yell at you no more, you hear? Aunt Queen’s gonna make it all better. You can cry on Aunt Queen anytime you feel like it, you hear?”
    Angel sighed slowly and deeply, then dozed while Aunt Queen rocked her. Gerald walked in then, sweaty and still angry.
    â€œThey gone?” he asked.
    â€œYes, but they’ll be back,” replied Queen.
    â€œI ain’t goin!” he yelled at Queen.
    â€œYou don’t have to, Gerald. It was not s’posed to happen like it did. She told me that she was gonna ask you if you’d like to come and visit one weekend, to get to know her again, and Jordan, and this little darlin’ here. That’s all. Ain’t nobody gonna take you away from me, you hear?”
    â€œYeah, I hear you,” replied Gerald grudgingly.
    â€œShe just got carried away with the excitement of seein’ you. She didn’t mean no harm.” Glancing down at the fragile bit of life in her lap, Aunt Queen asked Gerald, “Tell me, what do you think of our little Angel here?”
    â€œShe’s awfully pretty,” replied Gerald. “But she looks real sad.”
    â€œI don’t think she’s had a very happy life, Gerald. I wish I’d had her with me—with us. We woulda put a smile on that face.”
    â€œAnd some meat on those bones!” Gerald laughed. “She’s so little and skinny—she looks like she’ll break.”
    Angel opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Can I see your bike?” she asked. “I ain’t never had a bike of my own.”
    â€œMe neither,” said Gerald, “till Aunt Queen got it for my birthday. Come on, I’ll teach you how to ride.”
    â€œI can’t ride that big old bike,” said Angel as she climbed down from Aunt Queen’s lap.
    â€œI won’t let you fall,” said Gerald, laughing as they headed outside.
    Queen interrupted them. “Why don’t you take off those hot black stockings, honey. It’s a real nice day.”
    Angel look truly frightened and her large eyes looked like those of a deer, frozen in fear by a hunter’s gun. “Oh, no, ma’am! I can’t! Mama would get me! Mama would get me!”
    â€œOkay, honey,” soothed Aunt Queen. “You can keep them on. I just wanted you to be more comfortable.”
    Queen looked troubled as they left.