Page 85 - EarthAngelsMatos

NICHOLAS BOOTHMAN
pointed to the glowing dome of light on the horizon.
“Those lights? That’s the city—just ten more miles. See
that smoke just there? Two miles.”
“That’s Skolly Boys,” Tilly said, hoisting her child
from one hip to the other. “Hoodlums and hijackers.”
“Look out for bricks on the road,” the old man said.
“Go around them and don’t stop for any reason.”
Tilly picked up on the fear in Miriam’s eyes and
winked at her. Miriam caught it and sucked in her
breath.
“Cheechy.” Tilly called over to the truck. “Come
here now, my big boy.” Cheech waited as the last barrel
was secured on the truck, then went over to her.
Tilly wrapped her arm around his waist. “You take
them past those Skolly Boys; do you hear me?”
“Ya boss,” he said saluting her with his free hand.
“Make sure they’re safe.” Tilly slapped his backside.
As she watched them, something enormously
spiritual broke inside Miriam: a sudden moment of
revelation, like they were all actors in a play. Like it
was all planned. Like they were never in danger. She
slumped down sideways onto the driver’s seat, feet on
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