Free Born at Dawn by Nigeria Lockley

side like any other morning. Keith hummed “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” as he gargled. Every time he’d heard his father play the record he couldn’t grasp the concept: a child without a mother. Now the song would be his theme song. Keith went back into the bedroom to find some clothes for James.
    â€œYour clothes are on your bed,” he stated as he headed into the kitchen. He put the end pieces of the bread he’d hid in the produce box of the fridge for today’s breakfast in the toaster and divided the remainder of the Lucky Charms into two bowls. He sat down on the stool that Cynthia used for reaching the cabinets. Before he could enjoy a spoonful, the bread popped out of the toaster. As he buttered the toast he could feel something looming behind him. It was Marvin standing in the arc of the doorway.
    â€œGood morning, son,” he said and then repeated the same to James as he passed him in the hallway.
    James hurried to the kitchen to join his brother for breakfast.
    â€œCereal again?” James looked over at Keith.
    â€œThis is all we have and you’re lucky I saved this last night. You don’t like it then don’t eat.”
    They sat in silence. Keith was dreaming of French toast, eggs, and bacon and James was probably imagining a platter of waffles and Canadian bacon.
    â€œGet your book bag on. It’s seven.”
    Keith’s command woke James from his fantasy.
    Keith went to his parents’ bedroom door and knocked.
    â€œCome in,” Marvin called out from the other side.
    Keith pushed back the door. Marvin was sprawled out across the bed still in his uniform.
    â€œIt’s almost time for us to get on the bus,” Keith said, not even bothering to cross the threshold.
    Keith didn’t wait for Marvin to respond. He walked off and grabbed his book bag from his room. James sat on the floor gathering all of the junk he’d left on the living room floor the night before. He quickly stuffed everything into the bag then scurried to the door.
    â€œListen, boys,” Marvin said, placing his hand on Keith’s shoulder, “I know yesterday was rough, but today will be better. Don’t worry about your mother. I’m gonna go to the police station today, and they’re gonna help us find her.”
    â€œOkay, Dad,” James said, smiling.
    Keith opened the door for his brother and remained stoic. His father’s promise of a better day could not bring him to smile. From what he understood about the police they weren’t that great at solving crimes and Marvin wasn’t that great at following through. Keith highly doubted that this day would give him much to look forward to.

Chapter 10
    Marvin stripped out of his uniform, took a long, hot shower and shaved. He couldn’t go to the police station to report Cynthia missing looking like a fugitive and smelling like booze. He looked in the mirror. His eyes were still bloodshot. They burned from fatigue and the strain of holding back tears. He didn’t want to cry in front of the boys, but he was so lost. Cynthia did almost everything for all three of them, and now he was alone. Marvin threw on a pair of navy blue track pants, a white T-shirt, and the matching fleece jacket.
    As he walked the seven blocks to the police station, he called the garage to let Milton know he was having a personal crisis. After trying to get Milton to let him have the day off, Marvin was flustered, weary, and in no mood to play when he reached the glass doors of the 30th Precinct. He yanked the door open and walked up to the female desk sergeant who was in the middle of calming a woman.
    â€œExcuse me,” Marvin said calmly, staring into her eye. “I’m in need of some help.”
    Marvin used the power of his commanding dark brown eyes to gain the attention of the desk sergeant. The moment she looked away from the frantic mother and over at Marvin’s brick brown skin