Christmas music fills the air. The elf frolics and dances to happy applause, but she’s not happy. The men drool, and the metal pole is cold.

Beneath the dingy glass, her ring looked more beautiful than when he’d proposed. “$1,500,” said the man. “Are you here to buy or sell?”

The metallic smell of blood and salty tears found my hiding place before Mama did. “Papa’s sorry” she whimpered. I pretended to believe her.

“Shoot me?” Tom sneered. “You don’t have the—” The pistol shot frightened a rook out of the pines and sent it squawking across the red sky.

He groaned in pain. His knuckles turned white as the scent of uncertainty filled the little room. “Chili,” said he, “you betrayed me.”