Free Hero Worship by Christopher E. Long

top, where we position ourselves for a better view.
    â€œYou don’t think he’ll remember us from the park, do you?” Yvonne asks.
    â€œI think he’s a little distracted right now,” I say.
    Streak zips around the three robbers. And while we don’t see him hitting them, the physical effects are evident. The one wearing the ski mask is smacked off his feet and flies back, landing just inside the jewelry store. The other two robbers fly in opposite directions. One slams into the side of a parked car, while the other one crashes through the only unbroken pane of glass on the whole block.
    â€œI think we should get out of here,” Yvonne says.
    â€œAre you nuts?” Kent says. “It’s just getting good.”
    The red blur comes to a stop and Streak looks at the unconscious robbers. An upper section of the jewelry store dislodges and plunges to the ground just behind the crimson-clad hero. Startled, Streak jumps, and then he darts left in a blur. Arms flailing, he trips over a large piece of concrete, falls to the ground, and skids along the rubble. He comes to an abrupt stop near the three of us.
    Groaning, Streak pushes himself off the ground. The entire front of his costume is shredded, revealing exposed skin that’s scraped and bleeding. His arms give out and he collapses.
    The sound of sirens blares in the distance, getting louder as the emergency vehicles draw near. “Let’s get out of here before the police show up,” Yvonne says, making her way through the rubble.
    â€œDo you think we should just leave him?” I ask.
    Kent follows after Yvonne, saying, “Dude, he’ll be fine. Come on.”
    The sirens get louder.
    â€œHe doesn’t look too good,” I say.
    â€œCome on, Marvin,” Yvonne yells.
    I hesitate before chasing after my friends. As the three of us head away from the approaching sirens, I wonder whether it’ll ever get any easier doing what’s right.

ELEVEN
    The next evening, after the dinner crowd at Midtown Caf é has thinned, I spot Gus behind the counter, setting a drink in front of a girl sitting on a stool. Most of the tables are empty now, and Gus sees me and waves me over. He motions to the girl. “I just hired someone.”
    That’s when I realize the girl is Yvonne. She flashes me a smile.
    â€œYvonne?” I say.
    â€œHey,” she says.
    â€œYou hired her?” I ask.
    â€œWeirdest thing,” Yvonne says. “I came in looking for you, and he just up and offered me a job.”
    Gus says, “She’s your replacement.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’m going to be a busser and dishwasher,” she says.
    â€œIf she’s doing that, what am I supposed to do?”
    â€œMarvin, I need to talk to you,” Gus says, stepping away from the counter. “I’d appreciate your support on this.”
    â€œBut I—”
    Gus raises his hand to silence me. “You and I both know that Yvonne needs this. She’s trying to make a change. And she’s in a delicate spot. For someone like her, if there’s a little hiccup, she’ll just go back to doing what she was doing before, and we don’t want that, do we?”
    â€œDid she tell you … ?”
    He waits for me to finish my thought, but I hold my tongue. “Tell me what?” he asks.
    â€œNever mind,” I say. “But what about me? She’s taking my job.”
    â€œYou’re going to wait tables. You’re my new waiter,” Gus says. “Well, once you’ve trained Yvonne.”
    I can’t help but smile. “Really?”
    â€œI’m giving this to you because you’ve worked hard and paid your dues,” he says. “There are no shortcuts in life, Marvin, so don’t believe anyone who tells you differently. There aren’t any golden tickets. The only things worth having are those that take blood, sweat, and tears.” He wraps his