“My daddy killed my mommy, and then himself, so I have to stay with Pastor Ralph.”
Sympathy filled Mason’s eyes. “Oh, sorry about your folks.”
Unshed tears danced in Suave’s eyes, but he refused to cry in front of these men. He replied, “Thank you, sir.”
“Did Pastor Ralph do that to your face?” one of the men asked in a rough voice. “Did he beat on you?”
Suave’s eyes opened wide in fear. “No, I . . . uh, slipped and fell on the floor.”
Mason leaned back on the bench he sat on and folded his arms across his chest. He didn’t like Pastor Ralph. For years, the old fool had been condemning him to hell for “poisoning the minds and bodies of God’s wonderful people.” Pastor Ralph claimed Mason was the devil’s advocate for selling drugs to innocent folks. “Go down to that green house,” Mason pointed down the street, and Suave looked in that direction, “and ask for Miss Pam. Tell her Mason says to give you some breakfast.”
Suave looked at him in dumbfounded silence.
“Go on now,” Mason said. “After you eat, come back here.”
Suave stared at him for a few seconds longer before he headed off toward the house. He pushed the metal gate open, then walked up the walkway to the veranda. “Miss Pam?” he called out in a tiny voice. “Hello? Miss Pam?”
The door opened, and a young boy around Suave’s age stuck his head out. “What do you want?” Mason Dyke Junior, a.k.a. Junior, asked Suave. “What’re you calling my mother for?” His eyes were very cold for someone so young.
“Mr.... Mr. Mason sent me to Miss Pam.” Suave looked down at his feet, now ashamed. “But don’t bother.” He turned around and began walking toward the gate.
“Young man, were you calling me?”
Suave spun around to see a plump, smiling woman standing beside the sulking boy. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, come here, son.”
“He was leaving, Mommy,” Junior said. “Let the little fool go on his way.”
“Shut up, Junior, and go back inside the house.” Miss Pam glared at the boy.
Junior shot Suave a nasty look, then stomped back into the house. It was the beginning of his hatred for Suave.
Suave saw the look and hesitated once again. His stomach rumbled, and he soon forgot his little pride. “Mr. Mason says to please give me some breakfast, ma’am. I’m hungry.”
Miss Pam held out her hand to Suave, smiling. “You are just in time because we are about to eat. What’s your name, baby?”
“Suave.” He placed his hand in Miss Pam’s and allowed her to lead him inside the house. They walked through a beautifully furnished living room to a kitchen in the back of the house. Junior was sitting around the dining table with a huge plate of fried dumplings, boiled bananas, salt mackerel, and hot chocolate in front of him. His face twisted up when he saw Suave approaching with his mother.
“Go and have a seat, sweetie.” Miss Pam pointed to an empty chair around the table, facing Junior. “I’ll be right there with your breakfast.”
Suave jumped into his seat, ignoring Junior. His main concern right then was to get some food in his empty stomach. “Thank you, Miss Pam,” he said when a plate piled high with sweet-smelling food was placed in front of him.
“You are welcome, baby.” Miss Pam cautiously put a big mug of hot chocolate in front of him. “Be careful, this is hot.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Suave mumbled through a mouth already filled with fried dumplings. He began to eat as if he hadn’t eaten in years.
Miss Pam came and took her seat around the table. “Junior, why aren’t you eating?”
“Because his nasty face makes me lose my appetite.” Junior rested back in his chair, folded his arms, and his lips pouted out.
“Boy, shush your mouth, and don’t ever say that again. You better start eating this food.” Miss Pam glared at Junior until he began to nibble on his food. “You watch yourself, boy.”
Suave paused to watch the exchange between mother and son.
“Eat up, Suave. Don’t listen to Junior,” Miss Pam said.
During breakfast, Miss Pam asked Suave about himself, and he told her about his parents’ demise. Her heart broke for the little orphan. “I’m sorry, baby. I want you to know you are always welcome to come and eat with us.”
Junior snorted but quickly looked away from his mother’s stern look.
After breakfast, Suave turned down Miss Pam’s invitation to stay and watch a little television. Although he wanted to, he just didn’t want to be around Junior any longer than necessary. He thanked Miss Pam for the delicious food and strolled out on a full tummy back up the road to where Mr. Mason and his men were still laughing and talking.
“I hope you left a little for me,” Mason joked when Suave approached.
“Yes, sir.” Suave’s handsome face broke out in a big grin. “Miss Pam gave me a big plate of food.”
The men laughed, and Suave joined in as he took a seat beside his new savior.
“That’s good, son.” Mason lightly tapped Suave on the back. “Hang with me, and I’ll make sure you never go hungry again.”
Suave’s grateful eyes lit up in gratitude. “I will, Mr. Mason,” he replied, his young, impressive, immature mind not comprehending that he was making a deal with the devil.
Chapter Fifteen
Mason handed Suave a small package. “Here, Suave. I want you to take this to Mackie.” The two were in the supply room at the back of Mason’s little grocery shop run by Miss Pam. “He’s waiting for you at the usual location.”
“Okay, Mr. Mason.” Suave stuffed the drugs into his knapsack and threw the bag over his shoulders. He then walked outside to retrieve his bicycle, compliments of Mason, that was leaning up against the wall. He hopped on the bike and
