Page 19 of Run with Me

I hurried to the front where Mr. Garcia was folding the support leg of his bicycle, getting ready to leave. “Mr. Garcia! I have one more bag foryou.”

“Thank you, Anna.”

I placed the bag in one of his side baskets and secured it with the rubber band that wrapped around the metal frame. “You have yourself a safe trip tomorrow morning,” Isaid.

Last time Mr. Garcia returned home, he’d had two broken ribs; he’d been ambushed on his way back. Most of his money had been stolen, and if it weren’t for the secret compartment in the soles of his shoes, he wouldn’t have a penny left to liveon.

Mr. Garcia leaned in toward me and, as if remembering the fact, he whispered, “You don’t tell a soul about that night, Anna. You hearme?”

“Your secret is safe with me. But I still do want you to be careful. I’ll pray for your swift return.”

Mr. Garcia didn’t seem concerned. I saw him grin with pride as he announced, “I got myself a shotgun this time. No one’s going to surprise this old beast again. You and John look out for each other and have yourselves a grand wedding. I’ll see if I can find something special for the two of you while I’maway.”

“Thank you, but you don’t need to get us anything. You stop by for tea when you return, though.” I waved as he headed past the yard, then turned around and went back toward the church. As I took my third step, I saw Ben leaning back against the wall by the Bistro.

“Come inside, Anna. We have a matter to discuss.”

“There’s no matter to discuss.” I lowered my head, doing my best to ignore him, but with that smirk on his face, Ben had a way of beckoning me without even trying. He was up to something, and I was afraid that I’d find out when it was toolate.

“Ah, too bad. I’m sure Mikey’s going to miss hisMamá.”

What?

I rushed across the street toward the bar. I felt like Ben was holding a fishing rod, watching me follow his hook, reeling me in with each of my steps, that sly grin stretching on his mouth the closer I came to him. Little did he know, I felt like a great white shark on the end of that line, and though Ben was nothing but another piece of junk in the ocean, I’d still take a bite at him – or a swing of anax.

“Where’s my son?” I shouted, as he blocked my way to the Bistro.

“I think he’s at church, no?” hesaid.

“Why would you say he’ll missme?”

“I never said anything, chiquita.”

I turned around just as John stepped out of the church. He was holding Mikey’s hand, and I felt relief wash over me. If anything ever happened to my son, I would have killed Ben myself.

“Stay away from me, Ben, and stay away from my son. Stop with the toys. You do not come near him, you hearme?”

“He’s myson.”

“He’s John’s and mine,” I spat back, the same way I did each time he made the accusation.

“That’s interesting, Anna, because tomorrow, he’ll officially be mine.” I gasped and my hand flew to my heart. Ben stepped to the side and gestured with his arm for me to come inside the Bistro. I looked back to John, who was helping Mikey look for something in the grass. They couldn’t see me from this angle.

“Come in if you want to hear how,” Ben lured me in. I would have preferred it if John knew where I was, but I could handle this, and I didn’t want to make a scene larger than necessary in front of Mikey. I wanted to keep my son’s innocence intact. I wanted him to be as oblivious of Ben as he couldbe.

I stepped into the Bistro. The smell of booze and smoke hit me first. I crossed my arms over my chest and whipped my body around. “What are you up to, Ben?” I asked.

“Just wanted to give you a fair warning, Anna. I don’t want any trouble around here, but I can see his eyes and his nose. He’s mine. One way or another, Mikey will know who his real father is. You know, we can do this the easy way or the hard way, Anna. But I will have my son back. There’s this new DNA test a doctor can do. All I need is a piece of Mikey’s hair. I wonder where I could getone?”

I locked my knees in place as they attempted to take me down. I lifted my head higher and added with as much conviction as my voice would allow. “Mikey doesn’t have your ugly potato nose. He has John’s. He isJohn’s.”

Ben’s eyes shaded with evil. Pureevil.

“You don’t even know what an unfit mother you are. The child needs a strong father who spits and knows how to use a gun. Not someone who will dress him in red for the Assumption Fiesta. You of all people should know the color attracts bulls.”

Unfit mother? How dare he! I would never place Mikey in harm’s way. “First of all, I would never put my child within a bull’s reach. Mikey’s none of your concern, and neither am I. Stop following me, Ben, and stop terrorizing my family.”

“What if the bull puts itself within his reach?”

I held in the gasp that almost escaped my mouth, took in a deep breath, and squared my shoulders. “Your threats are not going to work. I know who you are. You’re… you’re a nobody.”

His jaw tensed. I might have pushed him too far, but it was about time that somebody did. Ben stepped closer, but I held my ground. He leaned in to my ear and whispered, “If I’m a nobody, then nobody committed a crime when they fucked you three years ago. You miss me, Anna, don’t you, chiquita?”

His hand snaked down my waist and over my hip, and my whole body froze.

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