Under the Viaduct, H. Anderson [top young adult novels .TXT] 📗

eat and then you can start grilling me with your questions.”

The older woman looked around at Demarcus, Hannah, and Clint. “Who’s saying grace?”

“I will, Mama C.” Hannah glanced at Kaylee with a look of defiance.

The group moved away from the fire barrel and held hands in a circle, Mama C grabbed Kaylee’s hand on one side and Clint grabbed her other one. Kaylee bowed her head slightly like the others, but as they closed their eyes, she squinted out at them.

“Heavenly Father,” Hannah began, “we’re thankful for this food we’re about to eat. Please keep us safe and help us be strong. Amen.”

Kaylee said “amen” a heartbeat behind everyone else as she was a little lost in her thoughts. What do these people have to be thankful for? They’re homeless. No family to help them.

As if she’d read her mind, Mama C looked at Kaylee with a raised eyebrow. “Yes, Miss Kaylee, even those of us on the streets have much to be thankful for.” She handed Kaylee a slice of pizza and then took one for herself. “For one,” she took a large bite and continued talking as she chewed, “I’m thankful that you have good taste in pizza. Pepperoni, it’s the only way to go. If you’d have shown up here with pineapple on this pizza, our little interviews would have been over.” She smiled and winked.

Kaylee laughed and took a bite of her slice. Returning to her previous thoughts, she decided she’d been wrong—about a couple of things. They did have a family, they’d made one out of this ragtag group of misfits, all thanks to the strong, strict, laughing woman standing at her side. Kaylee had to know her story. More than just for her thesis project, her investment had grown deeper than that. What made Mama C who she was? She had to find out. She took another bite and chewed thoughtfully. If Mama C wouldn’t crack to her questioning today, she’d take Allie’s advice and go into investigator mode.

“Save a couple of slices for Blayne.” Mama C broke through Kaylee’s train of thought.

Kaylee finished her slice of pizza, wiped her hands on a napkin, and threw it in the fire.

Mama C wiped her mouth on her sleeve and nodded to Kaylee. “Okay. Let’s get this interview over with.”

They moved off to the side, near the slanting wall that rose up to the bridge above, and sat across from each other on five-gallon buckets.

Kaylee took a deep breath and looked the older woman in the eyes. “What’s your name?”

Mama C raised an eyebrow and leaned in. “I’m pretty sure I already told you it’s Claire.”

Looking down at her hands, Kaylee said, “I was hoping you’d maybe tell me your last name, too.”

She straightened up and grunted. “Why are you so intent on knowing my last name? It makes no difference to you or your paper.”

“I don’t know. I guess I’m just wondering why it’s important to you to keep it a secret.” Kaylee looked up at her and shrugged, smiling to soften the words. “What are you trying to hide?”

A flash of sorrow passed through her eyes. “I’m not trying to hide anything. I just want to keep my past in the past. Some things are better left to lie. Sometimes dredging up the past only serves to increase pain and sorrow.” She shook her head. “Bringing those deeply buried memories to the surface can crush a scarred and crippled soul.”

The others had all wandered off after eating. Kaylee was thankful for that. Thankful they weren’t there to see Mama C’s words bring tears to her eyes. She swallowed, determined to continue in a soft voice. “Okay. No last name. Will you tell me where you came from? Are you from Colorado?”

“I am not from Colorado,” she said with finality, closing the door on that line of questioning.

“How did you get here?”

“By bus.”

That was a tiny bit of information to go off of. “Do you have any family that might be worried about you?”

“No. And again, you are wandering into dangerous territory. Where are you going with this line of questioning? Why is it vital for your thesis?”

“I just feel like your background is important in order to explore why you’re so special. What makes you who you are. Like, where do you get your money from? You buy food and things for these kids, but I’ve never seen you panhandling.” Kaylee wrung her hands in her lap.

“Another thing that’s none of your business. You’re walking a tight rope here, Miss Kaylee. I am who I am. Helping and loving others has always been a part of my soul. None of those things came about because of the misfortunes in my life. In fact, I think the important thing for you to note, is that those things—love and caring—remained a part of my life in spite of what went on in my past.” Mama C’s eyes lifted to gaze above Kaylee’s head and a smile touched the corners of her mouth. “Blayne. I’m glad you made it back. We saved a couple slices of pizza for you.”

“Uh, thanks.” He looked down at Kaylee. “Can I talk to you for a minute, college girl?”

“Umm, sure.”

“Over here, Mama doesn’t need to hear this.” He gestured to a spot fifteen yards away, on the other side of the viaduct.

Kaylee glanced at Mama C then pushed up off the bucket to stand and follow Blayne. When they reached the other side, he spun to face her, eyes narrowed. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m…I’m just asking questions for my paper.” She wondered how long he’d been within listening distance.

He leaned in closer to her face. “Yeah, questions you aren’t supposed to be asking. Questions you promised me you wouldn’t ask.”

Oh, yeah. She had promised him. “I…” She looked down at her hands. “I’m sorry. She’s just so fascinating, I forgot my promise.” She raised her head to meet his eyes, but he was no longer looking at her. Following