Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H. Burke (best value ebook reader .txt) 📕

You just got out of prison, Uncle, and all you know how to do is go back to crime. Is that really what you want for your son?”

“It was good enough for me and my dad.” Al stuck his chin in the air.

“Really? Prison was good enough? Living in constant fear that your co-workers will stab you in your sleep for a bigger cut was good enough?” Nyssa handed the matchbook back to Theo who dropped his spent match and lit another. She forced her hand steady, though a tremble welled up from her stomach. “I lived that life, and there wasn’t a day I wasn’t absolutely terrified. He’s a child. Give him a chance.”

Al’s shoulders slumped. “He’s … he’s my child.” His voice wavered slightly. “He’s mine, and I’ll raise him as I see fit. My dad made me work for my keep, and so will Theo.”

Nyssa bit her bottom lip. Theo’s bony shoulder pressed into her side as the urge to protect him tightened around her heart like a noose. Uncle Al’s eyes watered, and for a moment he looked so much like Theo Nyssa couldn’t believe she’d missed their connection.

How did I never see how broken Uncle Al is? He never had any more choice than I did, than Theo does. Hanging onto Theo, to this insane idea that he’s doing the right thing as a father, has to be all he has left. How can I get through that?

“Give me the money, Theo,” Nyssa whispered. Theo passed her the bag.

Nyssa reached inside and pulled out a small stack of bearer bonds. “These are worth about a thousand a piece, and I believe there are ten in the stack. That’s how much you said I owed you, for raising me? Right?” She held the bonds forward. “We’re even. I’ll take care of Theo now. You don’t have to worry about him. He’ll have a home, food, clothes … and even school. He won’t have to be frightened ever again. He’ll have family. He’ll learn a good trade, and when he’s a man, he’ll know that he has these things because you let him go. Take the money. Leave me Theo.”

“I’d never hurt my son. I never even raised a hand against you, unless you sassed.” Al scowled. “You can’t buy him off me.”

“No, as I said, the money is to … pay you back for taking such good care of me.” The words stuck in her throat. “Now it’s my turn to take care of your son. It’s a fair trade.”

“Why don’t I take the money and the boy?” He lunged for Nyssa, fist first.

“Don’t!” Theo shoved forward. Nyssa put out an arm to protect him, but Al’s knuckles grazed the boy’s cheek. Theo grunted and landed at Nyssa’s feet. Al fell back, mouth agape.

“Theo!” Nyssa dropped the money and cradled the boy.

“I’m okay,” he mumbled.

“I didn’t mean … you idiot boy, why did you … You shouldn’t have got in the way.” Al’s hands shook. “Get up. We’re leaving.”

“He’s hurt!” Nyssa snapped. “The police are coming. Are you going to drag him away by force? He doesn’t want to go.”

Theo’s lip quivered. “Please, Dad, let me go.”

Al’s face squeezed like a prune. His eyes darted to the alley’s mouth then back to his son. His expression hardened. “Having you along would slow me down, anyway. You’re too soft for the business.” Al bent and picked up the bonds Nyssa had dropped. He flipped through them then stuck them into his mud-streaked vest. “You always were a mess of trouble, girl, from the moment I took you in. Ten thousand doesn’t begin to cover my mental anguish.”

“It’s a fair amount.” Nyssa frowned. “Can Theo and I go?”

Al nodded. Nyssa pulled Theo away, towards the main street. She glanced back and saw Uncle Al disappear into the shadows.

“And I forgive you,” she whispered, surprised to find she actually meant it.

***

When Nyssa and Theo climbed aboard the trolley, the engineer narrowed his eyes at her and several passengers moved towards the back. Nyssa cleared her throat and tried to dust some of the street muck from her face and hands. She’d redonned her peacoat and skirt over her soiled clothing, but there had to have been a fair mix of garbage in that alleyway mud. She wasn’t very fond of the stench rising from her drenched leggings.

Theo, however, leaned against her as if she smelled of roses.

“Is Ellis … do you think he’ll be mad at me?” he asked.

“No. He may have some questions, though. I know I do.” She ruffled his hair.

“Maybe you could ask me and then you could tell Ellis.” He looked up hopefully.

“I suppose … why did you let Al take you? You could’ve told me what he had planned instead of letting him in.”

“I almost did … but after we got back from buying my clothes, I saw him staring through the back window. He beckoned me out and said he’d tell the police that I was planning to steal from you if I didn’t help him.”

Nyssa shook her head. “They wouldn’t listen to a man like him.”

“They listened when he told all those stories about you.”

She hesitated. They certainly had. “Well, it’s over now. The day you picked Ellis’s pocket, was that to get captured? Was it Al’s idea or yours?”

“Sort of both.” Theo shrugged. “I was supposed to get the house key. Dad was convinced you guys had a stash of money and if he could just get inside we’d be set for life. Instead, I reached in the wrong pocket and just got a watch … then you saw me and I couldn’t try again. I was afraid what Dad would do if he found out I’d messed up his whole plan, and I guess it made me careless when I tried to pick that next lady’s pocket.”

“Careless?” Nyssa raised an eyebrow. The boy shrugged again.

I still think he did it on purpose. Great minds think alike. She took his hand