Free Under the Stars by Rebecca A. Rogers Page A

brushes his thumb across my cheek. “Cheer up. It’s only for a little while.”
    “That’s what I’m hoping,” I say weakly.
    I don’t know when or if I’ll see Malik again. What if something happens and I have to stay longer than expected? Will the King delay his verdict just to make Legora suffer?
    Mama’s on the couch when I stroll through the front door.
    “Make sure you wash your clothes—no matter if they provide amenities or not. You stay clean. Are you taking that fragrance I bought you?” Though she looks calm on the outside, I can tell by the edge of her words that she’s worried.
    I ease down beside her on the couch. “Yes, I’m taking it, just as you suggested. Don’t worry about my clothing or what I’m going to eat or how they’ll treat me. I’ll be fine, Mama. I swear.”
    She shakes her head sympathetically. “And keep your focus on the King. The sooner you convince him, the sooner you can return home to us. I know Mattie will miss you.”
    “Mama…”
    “Don’t forget to write if you can. I want to know your progress. It’ll be something Mattie and I can do at night, together, while you are away. It’ll comfort him and me.”
    I take her hand in mine and squeeze.
    “I have to go,” I say. “The guards are probably waiting for me now.” I stand, slowly taking my time up the stairs to gather my few belongings. I stuff them in the brown sack that held our potatoes the other night.
    “I’ll see you off,” Mama says below.
    I don’t argue with her.
    We trek to the front gate of the city. There, as I had been told, are four guards waiting for my arrival. Armored black horses are tethered to a stake just outside the entrance.
    “I’m ready,” I say. I turn back to Mama and give her a hug. She clutches me so tightly I can’t breathe. And then I’m helped onto the back of a horse, my pathetic bag dangling from a notch on the saddle.
    The guards mount their horses—one in front, one behind, and one on either side of me. We began at a slow canter, dust kicking up from hooves. I wave goodbye.
    “Andy, don’t go! Pleeeeease.” I hear the gut-wrenching cry from behind me.
    I tug at the horse’s reigns, ordering it to stop and turn around.
    It’s Mattie. He’s at Mama’s side. He gives me this sorrowful look, like he’s going to fall apart.
    While I dismount the horse, he runs over to me, throwing his miniature arms around my neck.
    “It’s okay. I’ll only be gone for a few weeks,” I reassure him, rubbing his back.
    But his tears won’t stop. “I-I’ll dooo anything,” he strangles out. His breath catches several times. He sucks in another one and manages to say, “Pleeease don’t leeeave.” More unyielding, pitiful tears.
    “Sssh. It’s going to be okay, Mattie. Everything’s going to be all right.” I glance up at Mama. She’s in disarray. A complete and hopeless disaster.
    “You have to take care of Mama while I’m gone. She’s going to need your help,” I say, pulling back from him. “Can you do that for me?”
    He wipes the tears from his cheeks and nods.
    “Good.” I ruffle his hair and give him a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, bud.”
    He gasps for more air, ready to cry again. “Love you-u too.”
    Mama croaks, “C’mon, Mattie. Come stand with me.” She smiles through the tears and open her arms to him. He runs over to her, burying his face in her dress.
    That moment will be carved into my memory for the remainder of this trip. I don’t want to leave them. I don’t want to utter one word to the King. But if this visit means that my family is fed and well-kept, then I have no choice but to go.
    Without another moment’s hesitation, I climb on my horse and ride through the ocean of sand.  

24.
    Two days. That’s how long it takes to reach the station; it was once painted white, with the border a shade of deep ruby. But now the sun has ripped nearly all the paint off the building. Pieces here and there remain undamaged. Mostly,