My eyes burned. My vision blurred.
I quickly wiped away the tears and turned around, arms already open wide.
But it wasn't me he ran to. Johnny threw himself into Kay's arms, excitedly calling her "Mama."
Kay held him close, shooting me a look of pure triumph.
Johnny noticed me standing there, covered in fish blood and grime. His little face twisted with disgust.
"Mama, she's so dirty—like a beggar. Let's get out of here."
That look of revulsion cut through me like a blade, slicing my heart wide open.
As they passed, Kay gave me a smug, sidelong glance.
"Johnny, who do you love the most?"
Johnny wrapped his arms around her neck, eyes sparkling. "Mama, of course!"
Then he shot me a glare and muttered, "I hate smelly beggars."
I had seen Johnny just two weeks ago. I'd given him a good-luck bracelet I'd woven myself.
He hadn't even looked at it before tossing it in the trash. Then he'd screamed at me, calling me a dirty, stinking beggar.
When others saw him sobbing and gasping for breath, crying for his mama, they assumed I was trying to kidnap him. They pinned me to the ground and beat me until Joel arrived at the police station to clear up the misunderstanding.