She closed the pot and turned around. Her voice came out low. There is no food left, she said. [music] The boys froze. Solar’s smile faded. Kunnel looked into the pot like he did not believe her. Tunday stayed quiet. Goi felt ashamed. I’m sorry, she said quickly. People came early today. Solar nodded slowly. It’s okay. But his voice sounded small. Kunnel looked down.
Tunday raised his eyes to her face. We will come tomorrow, he said. Goi shook her head. No, she said. Wait. She walked to her bag. Inside was bread. Her dinner, the only thing she planned to eat that night. She held the bread in her hand and stared at it. Her stomach growled. Her mind screamed. This is all you have, her mind said.
You will sleep hungry. She looked at the boys again. They were already stepping back. Something inside her snapped. Wait, she said again. The boys stopped. And Goi tore the bread into three pieces. Her hands shook. She held them out. “Take,” she said. The boys stared at the bread like it was gold. “For us,” Sola asked. “Yes,” Goi said. “Eat.
” They did not hesitate this time. They took the bread. They shared it quickly. Goi watched them chew. Her stomach hurt, but she did not look away. When they finished, Solar smiled. Thank you, [music] he said. Kunnel nodded. Thank you, mama. Tunday looked at her for a long moment. Are you sure you will be okay? He asked.
Goi forced a laugh. I am fine. Tunday did not look convinced, but he nodded. We will see you tomorrow, he said. They walked away. Goi sat on her bench and stared at the road. Her hands trembled. She packed her things slowly. That evening, she walked home with an empty stomach. Her legs felt weak. Her head hurt.
When she reached her room, she sat on the floor. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. “I can’t do this anymore,” she whispered. Tears ran down her face. She slept without eating. The night felt long. The next morning, [music] Mosi woke up late. Her stomach hurt badly. She sat up slowly and held her belly.
I need to stop, she said to herself. Just stop. She cooked less food than ever before. Her hands moved slowly. Her heart felt heavy. When she reached her shop, something felt wrong immediately. The street was loud. Cars passed. People shouted, but something was missing. [music] The boys, they were not across the road. Go’s heart skipped.
“They will come,” she said quietly. She set up her table and waited. Customers came and went. Still no boys. Goi wiped her hands on her wrapper again and again. She kept looking across the road. Nothing. An hour passed. Then too, Gozi felt fear crawl into her chest. She could not focus anymore.
She packed her table early and crossed the road. She walked toward the unfinished building. To day, she called softly. No answer. Solar!” she called louder. “Nothing. Cunnel!” she shouted. Her voice [music] echoed. She walked behind the building. The place was empty. No boys, no bags, no slippers. Go’s chest tightened.
She ran back to the road and asked a man nearby. “Did you see three boys here this morning?” she asked. The man shrugged. “Street boys? They come and go.” N Goi ran to another shop. Did you see the boys? [music] She asked. The woman shook her head. Not today. Goi felt panic rise. She walked further down the road.
[music] She called their names again and again. People stared at her. Some shook their heads. Some ignored her. Clouds began to gather. The sky darkened. Go’s chest hurt. Then rainstarted. At first it was light. Then it became heavy. N Goi did not stop. She ran through the rain. Tounday, she shouted. Solar cunnel. Her clothes stuck to her body. Her hair was wet.
