Free Alexander by Kathi S. Barton Page A

one.”
    Jack wasn’t sure what kind of help his mom might need, but he nodded. Grandpa Tom would handle it just fine for him. Jack went to bed twenty minutes later and slept soundly. Hopefully, Mr. Alex wouldn’t mind meeting an old man.
    ~~~
    Alex found himself watching for Jack. He didn’t have any idea if he’d show or not, but he hoped so. Alex was still a little pissed at his dad because he wouldn’t tell him about Heather, but he would get it soon enough. He was watching for his little baker too.
    When Jack showed up with an older man with him, Alex stood up as they approached the table. He knew they were related by the eyes. No one but family could have eyes the color they had.
    “ Mr. Alex. This is my grandpa Tom. We…he wants to speak to you.”
    Alex stepped up to the counter and left his grandfather at the table. “Sir. Have a seat. I’m Alexander James.” He put out his hand and was rewarded with a hard shake. “Your grandson is a very special young man.”
    “ Thomas Laird. Yes, he is. Very special.” They both looked over at the person in question. “He told me about the man who was stalking him yesterday. Did you know him?”
    Alex let go of the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “No, sir. Jack pointed him out as a joke, I think. But the man seemed to have an unhealthy interest in Jack. I watched for him as we went to the bus, but he didn’t approach him.”
    Mr. Laird turned back to him with a smile. “Don’t imagine too many men are stupid enough to approach you without an invite. You’re a big man.”
    Alex flushed. “That I am. My father is as well. I only beat him by an inch. My mom is tall also.”
    “ I wanted to thank you. Not many men would care about a kid enough to walk him to the bus stop. He and his momma are all I got. Well, that ain’t true. I got my daughter, but there ain’t a man in this here world that thinks she needs protecting.”
    Jack came back with his muffin, a cup of coffee, and a container of milk. His grandda took the coffee and Jack sat down with his muffin. He looked up at him.
    “ I’m sorry, Mr. Alex, can I get you something? I got about three bucks left.” When Jack stood, Alex looked over at Mr. Laird and just caught the shake of his head. He was telling him not to offer to pay for whatever he wanted.
    “ Sure, I wouldn’t mind one of those muffins. I have coffee, though. That’s very nice of you.” When Jack left to get the muffin, Alex turned to Mr. Laird. “I’m part owner here, sir. I don’t need the boy to pay for my breakfast. I can well afford to pay for his as well as yours.”
    “ Maybe I wasn’t thinking of monetary just now but of pride. He has a great deal of it. His mother gave him that. You’d do well to remember that money doesn’t mean squat to someone like Jack or my granddaughter.”
    Alex didn’t understand, but he nodded. He didn’t know the man’s granddaughter.
    They spoke for a bit longer and then Mr. Laird left. Jack finished his breakfast in much the same fashion as he had the day before. He cut up the muffin in to eight perfectly equal pieces and ate them without a single crumb falling on him or the tray.
    “ My mom works here,” Jack said between bites. “She makes these for me at home. Not lately, the oven doesn’t work anymore, but she does make these for Miss Caroline.”
    Alex felt the breath leave his body. He looked over at Lisa who was ringing out a customer and she winked at him when she saw him looking at her. He found himself hoping that she was his mother, but somehow knew that she wasn’t.
    “ I’m not supposed to tell anyone who I am. It might…the welfare people might come back again or that woman. But she does okay, my mom, I mean. She works too hard, but we got each other.” Alex looked at Jack as he continued to eat his breakfast. “She got hurt yesterday. I was wondering if I could ask you a question.”
    Alex nodded. He was going to ask him about why he’d hurt her,