The Orphan's Tale

Chapter 9

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

Psalm 5:11

Silently, I prayed for Marie, that she wouldn't become what the Inspector had said.

Then I saw Jacko now in the custody of the bobby policemen, as was his gang, including Lester. Their hands were tied, and at long last, I knew that I was safe from them. Having taken refuge in the Lord, I had been protected. If I had been alone at this moment, I would have been happy to sing to my God. Inside, I was filled with peace and eager to sing.

I was watching the detective explaining how the matter stood to Captain Lancing, something about the bullet the surgeon had removed from Cyrus Banks. What an unusual man the detective seemed to be. He had the air of a general commanding his troops, and yet he seemed to care about justice for the common man. A man that couldn't repay him like the grateful James. It reminded me of God's justice, slow but steady.

"Beatrix, if you have a moment." came a sharp voice. This was not a request but a command.

I tensed. Turning, I saw Momma Ana, with her hands on her hips and her eyes in angry slits. How could I have forgotten about this? Quick, but anxious, I went to her. Still, I had expected this. Why was I so afraid?

The breeze tugged at her colorful headscarf and dark hair. "You've been talking much with that fancy detective, haven't you? Been talking about my son?" she accused, in a dangerously quiet voice.

"Yes, Momma," I confessed. My hands clasped together, I waited for the finishing blow.

"I thought as much. You've always hated my son, whatever did he do to you? What lies did you tell them about him? You wanted to feel big and important, well I hope you enjoyed it!"

A knife pierced my heart. Even though I knew she would be angry with me, somehow I have never expected it to hurt so much. I never expected her to twist my motives or to misunderstand why I had done what was right.

"I never hated him and I never told any lies about him." I protested. "And I never-"

"Well, it doesn't matter much now, does it? You've gotten my boy arrested! And I don't know how-" Here her voice broke a bit, and she covered her mouth, glancing away from me.

Her heart hurt for her son. I understood that, and I wanted to comfort her but restrained my hand from reaching out to her. For I knew, she would knock it away. In this mood, she would misinterpret everything I did, just as she was misinterpreting my reasons for telling the strangers about her son.

"I'm sorry, Momma Ana," I said quietly.

"Little beast! I take you in, and this is how you repay my generosity! You ruin the life of my only child!" she howled in anguish.

I flinched, feeling the eyes of other people on us now. Both the nearby bobbies and the other circus members were staring. I knew I couldn't explain to her when she was in this way, in fact, the only thing I could do for her was to pray for her. I swallow the lump in my throat.

"Well, I assume I'm sacked?" I inquired, attempting to keep my voice level.

"You most certainly are! Don't you dare come back here! Go back to your filthy parents, I wash my hands of you!" she howled.

There was no point in mentioning the only thing of my parents I had to go back to on earth was a gravestone. Mutely I nodded, then turned away quickly so that she wouldn't see the flash of tears in my eyes. I began walking blindly away. Dismissed again, nowhere to turn. It was back to the streets for me. Delia had left the circus, and now I must follow suit.