Free The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer Page B

terminal. How could Mom
     survive that?
    “If I had the money, I’d give it to you,” he mumbled.
    “Thanks, Jon,” Alex said. “But we’ll need more than money. There’s paperwork to be
     filled out, and we have to be approved.”
    “You will be,” Miranda said. “Your record is perfect, darling. Carlos was a Marine,
     and now he’s a guard. You’re just the kind of people who should own a truck. They’ll
     have to give you the permit.”
    “Unless some claver’s fat-ass brother-in-law wants one,” Alex said. “Then it’s ‘Wait
     your turn, grub.’”
    Jon had never heard Alex speak that way before. It didn’t seem to shock Miranda, though.
    Instead she patted Alex’s arm. “You’ll get your truck,” she said. “And we’ll make
     a good life for ourselves. And for little Mulrooney.”
    Alex stopped and gave her a hug. “Daniel,” he said. “Daniel Mulrooney Morales.”
    Miranda laughed. “See, Jon?” she said. “Alex pretends to be such a tough guy, but
     I’ve got him wrapped around my little finger.”
    Alex kissed her little finger. Jon felt jealous. He would never love a girl the way
     Alex loved Miranda. That was the price he’d pay for what he did to Julie.
    They walked most of the way in silence, except for Alex’s occasional coughing. They
     slowed down a couple of times so Miranda could catch her breath. It was hard on Jon,
     too. He was used to running around in fetid air, but this time there was no oxygen
     tank to cleanse his lungs with.
    The baby will never survive, he thought. Alex might not either, the way he was coughing.
     And what would that do to Miranda?
    She seemed to read his thoughts. “You’re not used to this,” she said. “But after a
     while you don’t notice. We’re really very lucky, Jon. We have each other and Mom,
     and we know Matt and Syl and Carlos and Gabe are all right. And we have a future.
     I tell the baby that every day. Things are going to get better. Alex will get his
     truck, and we’ll find a safer, healthier place to live.”
    Alex laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Miranda pictures the world as some great
     big enclave,” he said. “Room enough for everybody.”
    “Maybe not tomorrow,” she said. “Or a year from now or even five years from now. I
     know everything that’s happened can’t be changed. But look at Jon. See how healthy
     he is, how strong. That’s how our baby is going to be. Gabe started out in much worse
     conditions, and he’s doing wonderfully. It can happen. We’ll make it happen.”
    “Or die trying,” Alex said. “Or die not trying.”
    “Don’t,” Miranda said. “Alex, please. Jon’s here, and we’re going to a dinner party.”
     She managed a small laugh. “Mom and her parties,” she said. “She spent all of yesterday
     cleaning and shopping. I’ve never seen the apartment look so good.”
    “It helped take her mind off of things,” Alex said. “So what’s this Sarah like, Jon?
     How long has she lived in Sexton?”
    They spent the rest of the walk talking about Sarah, Lisa, school, soccer. Jon felt
     much better about things—until he got to Mom’s apartment and saw her sitting at the
     kitchen table having an animated discussion with Sarah and her father.
    It made perfect sense that they would have gotten there before him. The clinic was
     only a few blocks away, while he had the commute and the three-mile walk. But Jon
     had imagined himself there when Sarah arrived, to reassure her that she shouldn’t
     be uncomfortable, that soon she’d be back in Sexton where she belonged.
    Sarah didn’t look remotely uncomfortable. She and her father rose when Jon, Miranda,
     and Alex entered the room. Jon could see the resemblance right away. Sarah and her
     father shared the same sandy hair and inquisitive green eyes. Introductions were made,
     hands were shaken, and before Jon knew it, Mom was fussing at the stove while continuing
     her conversation.
    “Wine?” Alex asked, seeing