Page 2 of Deadly Sights

“I bet it’s better than any you can build.”

“But if it’s a trap, shouldn’t it be secret?” Afro Puffs pointed to all the surrounding people.

“No one ever sees me, so no one’ll know.”

“Butwesaw you.” Afro Puffs’ response earned her a heated glare, as if pointing out the hole in his logic was cause for annoyance.

He pressed his lips into a hard line but said nothing to challenge her.

“And we know where your trap will be.” Hair Beads’ taunting caused him to throw away his stick.

“What do you know?” He stomped off, disappearing among the crowd of boisterous children.

Despite their search, the girls didn’t see him anywhere until dinnertime. Similar to when they were on the playground, he sat alone amid the youthful cacophony. Kids lined up for their meals, sat and horsed around over their plates, and acted boisterously now that they had food to fuel their fun.

Like earlier that morning, the girls shared a look. They got their trays with dinner and set them on either side of him. When he remained silent, the girls began to eat.

After a few seconds, Afro Puffs noticed he only ate the chocolate cake on his tray. She swiftly placed her portion on his plate.

“What’d you do that for?” He reached for his fork but stopped before touching it.

“It’s what friends do.” Hair Beads shrugged and forked a noodle into her mouth.

“We aren’t friends.”

“We are now.” Hair Beads slurped the wiggly noodle.

“Why would I be friends with a bunch of babies?”

“I don’t know, but it’s been decided.” Afro Puffs’ quiet finality halted the boy from protesting further.

He retrieved his fork and gobbled the chocolate cake before offering his pasta to the girls while eyeing Hair Beads’ cake.

“We’re friends, but I don’t give nobody nothing with chocolate.” Hair Beads forked a sizeable chunk and gobbled it up with relish.

The news that he wouldn’t achieve the holy grail of miracles, getting three slices of his favorite dessert caused him to shrink in his seat.

Hair Beads plucked a piece of chicken from his plate, oblivious to his reaction. “I wouldn’t give chocolate to my mama if she rose from the dead and took me away from here.”

This new insight into these insistent little girls sparked his interest. “Your mom died?”

“From I was born. I been here my whole life. The other kids,” Hair Beads glared at the other children in the cafeteria who were oblivious to the trio, “said it was my fault. Just because they knew their parents before they died don’t mean they better than me.” She returned her attention to her plate. In a tiny voice, she whispered, “Why would anyone kill their mama? Mamas hug their kids and kiss their boo-boos. Mamas make everything feel warm and soft.”

“Until they stop. Mine left me here and said she would be back. That was when I was six. I’m ten now.”

“She’ll come back for you.” Afro Puffs glared into his eyes.

“You’re wrong. Today, the director, Mrs. Granger, told me she died. Worst birthday ever.”

“Today’s your birthday?” When he nodded, Hair Beads frowned at her dessert. “You better not be lying to me.” She shoved the cake at him. Before he put his fork in the rich dessert, she stole a mouthful, leaving only half of the cake. “What? I feel for you, but I got to get mine, too.”

Afro Puffs disappeared from the table. After a few minutes, she returned with a cardboard box and set it in front of the boy. “Happy Birthday and I’m sorry about your mommy.”

Curious, the boy pulled the flaps open. “Holy?—”

She covered his mouth and looked around the room. When no one paid attention to them, she released him. “Not one word,” she whispered while pressing her finger to her lips.

Hair Beads leaned over to take part in the secret. A wide grin broke out on her face. Inside the box was a quarter of a chocolate sheet cake. When she grabbed her fork to take back the half she’d given the boy, Afro Puffs slammed the lid closed and shook her head. Hair Beads pouted, but took her seat next to the boy without further protest.

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