《Emile》


 Chapter One - The Missing Piece

    Situated deep in a forest just a few miles outside of Chicago, Illinois, was a large homeless encampment. Its desperately poor residents lived in hovels built from whatever odds and ends they could find.


    To keep warm, cook food and boil water, they used small makeshift stoves made from old coffee cans then fueled with twigs, leaves and rubbish. They relied on the nearby river to bathe and to wash their things.


    Most of the adults and teenagers foraged, scrounged, begged or worked odd jobs when they could. Still, with so many mouths to feed, there often wasn''t enough to eat. It is amid such hardships that this story begins.


    To say that Alicia Fiore was frightened when she discovered she was pregnant was an understatement. Luckily, despite being an orphaned teenager, she wasn''t alone. You see, the baby''s father, Giovanni Bosco, was an orphan himself.


    ¡°Whatever happens, we''re in this together¡±, he told her. ¡°I love you and our baby.¡±


    So, for those nine long months, Giovanni took any work he could find. Of course, a few odd jobs here and there meant very little money. More often than not, he went hungry just so Alicia and their baby would have food.


    Alicia fashioned cloth diapers and simple mismatched outfits from whatever rags and scraps of fabric Giovanni could scrounge up as well. He''d also found a basket for the baby to sleep in. Then, on the night of November 3rd, 1984, Alicia''s water broke.


    ¡°Giovanni¡±, she whispered, grimacing in pain. ¡°It''s time.¡±


    At that moment, Giovanni realized there was no time to waste. Helping Alicia to lie down, he moved quickly to gather all that he''d need from his knapsack. Inside were washcloths, a shoelace, his pocket knife, blankets, towels, the cloth diapers and the baby clothes. Hearing Alicia''s moans as her labor continued to progress, he took a deep breath and said a silent prayer before returning.


    ¡°Don''t worry¡±, he told her. ¡°Everything''s gonna be okay.¡±


    Several hours later, the newborn''s cries filled the hovel and Alicia fell back exhausted onto the pillows.


    ¡°It''s a boy!¡±, said Giovanni.


    When it was safe to do so, he used the shoestring and his pocket knife to tie off and cut the umbilical cord. Then, he cleaned their baby boy up, dressed him and swaddled him in one of the blankets before placing him in Alicia''s arms.


    ¡°He''s beautiful¡±, Alicia whispered, tired but in awe. Giovanni nodded.


    ¡°Do you know what you wanna call him?¡±, he asked.


    ¡°I''ve always liked the name Emile¡±, Alicia replied as the baby cooed softly.


    ¡°Sounds like he likes it too¡±, Giovanni chuckled.


    ¡°Then, Emile Bosco it is¡±, said Alicia, kissing the baby''s forehead.


    The hovel in which the little family lived wasn''t much more than the rusty sheets of metal and old tarps it was built from.


    The hovel in which the little family lived wasn''t much more than the rusty sheets of metal and old tarps it was built from. The whole place consisted of only two cluttered rooms, after all.


    To provide for the three of them, Giovanni took to scavenging behind restaurants for leftovers, stealing clothes and blankets from donation bins when no one was looking and continuing to work whenever there were jobs to come by.


    Years passed and before long, Emile had grown to be a tall but very thin lad. His wavy, shoulder-length, dark brown hair framed a gentle face with caramel-colored eyes.


    Because going to school was a luxury that no encampment child''s family could afford, Alicia taught Emile the alphabet, his colors and shapes and how to count from picture books she and Giovanni had at home.


    Giovanni taught him how to stay safe in the wilderness, hunt small game, and to forage for nuts and edible berries and roots. Alicia taught him how to boil water and to cook as well.


    Sadly, learning to read and write was something Emile never had a chance to do. Regardless of the harsh life he was leading however, he was far from being unhappy.


    Among all of the children he had grown up knowing were four boys his age named Ben, James, Anthony and Sullivan. The quintet considered themselves to be best friends. When they weren''t busy trying to help their families to survive, they spent as much time as they could just having fun.


    They enjoyed playing chase, exploring the woods, swimming in the river when it was warm enough and above all, just having each other to talk to.Then, one summer when they were all fifteen-years-old, Emile began to wonder about certain things.


    Yet another very hot day had come to the encampment. So, the boys decided to cool off with a swim.


    "This feels amazing!", Anthony sighed happily as he leaned back, allowing himself to float.


    "Does it?", Ben asked as he was sneaking close behind him.


    "Yeah, it really does, ''cause..."


    (SPLASH!)


    ¡°Ben!", Anthony sputtered, coming back up from being dunked. "We got in here to cool off, not so you could act like a little kid!"


    "Lighten up, would ya?", he snickered with the others. "I was just playin''!"


    "Okay, okay", Anthony replied, brushing his dark brown bangs from his gray-green eyes. "Just please don''t sneak up on me like that again."


    The boys splashed about for a while until they began to shiver from the cold water. So, after drying off, changing out of their wet clothes and putting on the dry ones they''d brought along, they sat together on the grass to rest a bit.


    "Do you guys ever wonder about the future?", Emile asked suddenly. "Like, what might happen once we''re grown?¡± The others just shrugged. Emile frowned slightly.


    He couldn''t explain it, but as content as he''d been, he was beginning to feel like something or maybe someone was missing from his life...but who exactly was that missing piece?


    Winter, 2005


    Emile''s POV


    Six years had passed since that day at the river. Although I was now a young man, not much had changed about my life and the notion of feeling incomplete hadn''t ever left my mind.


    Today, while Mamma tidied up and gathered fuel for the stove, Papa and I had made our usual walk to Chicago in search of odd jobs. Because we lived so far from the city, we always arrived with both growling stomachs and smarting feet.


    Wandering the cold, slushy, rubbish-strewn streets, Papa and I seemed invisible amid the throngs of people. As always, from the chatter, shouting and cursing, to the honks of car and bus horns, it was very noisy!


    Looking around, we could see the buildings both big and small as well. There were all sorts of things on display in store windows. Clothes, toys, even musical instruments! All of which were lovely and brand new! Though we''d been to Chicago many times, the city never failed to excite me. It was Papa''s voice that broke my trance.


    "Come, we mustn''t just stand around, son."


    So, with the snow crunching beneath our worn out boots, we kept going. Then after a few more blocks, we stopped to rest...and a magnificent sight caught my eyes.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Across the street, was a mansion so large and grand that I almost mistook it for a castle. Through the bars of the fancy looking fence that surrounded it, I could see bushes that needed trimming, front and back steps that could be swept off and both a walkway and driveway which needed the snow shoveled from them.


    "Papa, look!", I whispered excitedly, gesturing towards everything. "Maybe the people living here would give us jobs keeping their property tidy for them!" Lifting his head and having a look for himself, Papa chuckled.


    "You have a good eye, my boy", he said. "Let''s see what we can do."


    The owners of the mansion and the property turned out to be a very wealthy family known as the Dogwoods. Papa and I discovered that Hamilton Dogwood was the proprietor of a chain of successful seafood restaurants in the area. A blonde, blue-eyed man of medium height, he seemed to judge us from the moment he saw us.


    "You two!", he snapped. "No need to stare, what do you want?"


    "Hello sir, my name is Giovanni Bosco and this is my son Emile", said Papa. "We thought perhaps we could help you by doing some yard work." Hamilton narrowed his eyes and for a moment said nothing as he continued to study us.


    "Well, I suppose it would be nice to have some help", he agreed. "However, it looks to me that your son is in better shape to do such things. The job is his as long as he works hard and always does as he''s told." Papa was quiet but nodded anyway.


    "Don''t worry, sir", he said. "Emile is a very hard worker." Clicking his tongue, Hamilton turned to me.


    "Alright, boy", he began.


    "Actually, my name is...", I interjected.


    "Don''t speak unless you''re spoken to!", Hamilton growled. "Now, before you get started, let''s get you a bath and something else to wear. I won''t have everyone staring because of your messy hair and those rags you call clothes. We''ll get you a proper meal as well."


    I felt awful as I looked back at Papa. Not only would he be going home without a job or money, he would have to wait to wash up and eat too.


    "It''s okay, Emile", he said, smiling sadly. "Go on."


    "I could try and save you and Mamma something to eat at least...", I whispered.


    "HURRY UP!", Hamilton barked.


    Inside, a small, slender woman with black hair and gray-green eyes sat in the living room reading a book.


    "Aviva, darling", said Hamilton. "This is Emile Bosco. He''s going to be working as our yardman from now on."


    Flinching a bit, I waited for her to yell at me also...but instead, she smiled and her voice was soft and kind.


    "It''s nice to meet you, Emile", she said.


    "Thank you, ma''am. I really do appreciate the job."


    "I''m sure you''ll do just fine", Aviva replied.


    "Please draw a bath and lay out a change of clothes for him", Hamilton instructed his wife. "Then, he can come have lunch with us."


    A short time later, I found myself in one of the bathrooms upstairs. It had a walk-in shower in the corner, a nice, big bathtub off to the side and a double sink. My eyes widened at all the makeup, perfumes, soaps, shampoos, conditioners and bottles of body wash. All the expensive things I was seeing made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Regardless of that, I knew I would have to get used to it.


    Undressing and stepping into the warm water, I finally managed to relax. It was much nicer than bathing in the river for sure! Smiling, I settled into washing both my hair and myself. Afterwards, after drying off with a fluffy towel, I wrapped another around my waist and stepped into the bedroom to get dressed.


    The outfit chosen for me was a dark blue long-sleeved shirt, a pair of black pants, some snow boots, a scarf, a pair of gloves, a knit hat and a thick coat.


    While combing my hair and examining myself in the full length mirror once I''d finished, I almost didn''t notice that my own tattered clothing was missing. As I was looking around for it, I suddenly heard the door opening and closing quietly.


    "If you''re looking for your old clothes, they''re being washed", said a voice. Startled, I turned around.


    Standing there was a young woman my age. She had long black hair like Aviva and Hamilton''s blue eyes.


    "I...I''m so sorry, Miss...", I began stammering nervously.


    "Kiera", the woman giggled. "My name is Kiera...and you don''t have to call me Miss, okay? Don''t worry about things like that."


    "What about your father?", I asked. "I don''t wanna make him angry with me."


    "Well, how about just calling me Miss around my parents then calling me by my name when it''s just us?", said Kiera. I nodded shyly.


    "Good. Now come on, lunch is ready", Kiera explained. As I followed her downstairs, I felt myself beginning to blush. She was so pretty!


    Lunch for that day was something called seafood gumbo. Never having eaten something like that before, I was a little confused.


    "It''s a stew made from shrimp, okra, sausage and lots of other tasty things", Kiera told me. After taking my first spoonful, blowing on it a bit and trying it, I smiled.


    "It''s very good, thank you", I said. Once we''d all finished, I headed outside and quickly got to work.


    As I''d agreed, I shoveled snow from the walkway and driveway, swept off the steps and trimmed the bushes. It was so chilly and windy that I could see my breath.


    Both Aviva and Kiera seemed pleased with it all. Whether Hamilton was satisfied or not, I couldn''t really tell. However, I must''ve done something right because I didn''t end up being fired.


    Still, from that day on, Hamilton never let me forget that he didn''t view me as an equal. Aviva and Kiera were always kind to me regardless and did their best to protect me from his abuse.


    As for me, it got to the point where I started to wonder if I really was as worthless and stupid as Hamilton was constantly saying I was. All that kept me from giving up and quitting was how much my family and I needed the money I brought home. That and seeing Kiera.


    Then one evening before I left to go home, she asked me a question I never thought anyone would ask me.


    ¡°Would you like me to teach you to read and write?¡±


    ¡°That would be nice¡±, I replied quietly with my head down.


    ¡°What''s wrong, Emile?¡±, Kiera asked.


    ¡°Well, I mean¡­what if I''m really not smart enough to do things like that? Ya know, your father might have a point¡­¡±


    ¡°Don''t listen to him, he''s talking nonsense! Besides, you deserve to be able to learn whether you''re from a poor family or not¡±, Kiera insisted. ¡°My mother would say the same thing, I know it!¡±


    ¡°So, you don''t think I''m a nobody?¡±, I asked her.


    ¡°Of course I don''t¡±, she replied. ¡°I''ve never thought that.¡±


    ¡°Thanks¡±, I said, giving her a small smile. ¡°That means a lot.¡±


    ¡°You''re very welcome¡±, she said.


    ¡°I still have a lot of work to do when I come here every day though¡±, I reminded her. ¡°I¡¯d probably get in trouble if I sat around too long without keeping up with it all.¡±


    ¡°So, we''ll do your lessons at night when my parents are asleep. We''ll have to be quiet though, of course¡±, Kiera replied, keeping her voice lowered.


    At first, I still felt worried and uneasy. Nonetheless, with the way Kiera smiled at me so reassuringly, I couldn''t say no.


    From that night on, Kiera always left the gate open just enough for me to sneak onto her parents¡¯ property. That and a crack in her bedroom window so I could climb through. Luckily, her bedroom was on the first floor.


    When her parents would ask about the gate, she''d always tell them the wind kept blowing it open during the night. It was a good thing they always believed her!


    Since I already knew the alphabet, my first reading lessons began with Kiera helping me to read short, simple story books she¡¯d kept ever since she was a little girl.


    ¡°The sky is¡­blue¡­and¡­th-the bird¡¯s¡­fea¡­fea-thers are r-red¡­¡±,  I read softly.


    ¡°Very good¡±, said Kiera. ¡°Keep going.¡±


    ¡°The¡­bird¡¯s nest¡­is in¡­the apple tree¡­¡±, I continued. Then suddenly, I paused, looking up at her.


    ¡°Wow, I really can do it¡±, I whispered.


    ¡°See? Just like I knew you could¡±, she replied.


    For what seemed like forever, we sat gazing at each other. The whole room was quiet except for the soft ticking of Kiera''s wall clock.


    "Come on", urged a voice in my head. "Say something! Tell her what you''ve been feeling, how you think she''s beautiful and you love being with her. Tell her about how you''re always thinking of her!"


    "Kiera,...I...I need to talk to you", I whispered.


    "Is everything alright?", she asked.


    "Yeah, it''s just that...well, I think you''re a wonderful friend. You''re always so sweet, you stick up for me whenever your father says mean things while I''m over here, you don''t judge me for being poor, you''re giving me these lessons..."


    "Emile, what are you really wanting to tell me?", Kiera asked, reaching over to squeeze my hand.


    "You''re all I can think about", I replied. "You''re beautiful and I''m falling in love with you."


    "Oh my gosh...", Kiera gasped.


    "I know it seems ridiculous", I interjected. "I''ll leave you alone about it if you want me to..."


    Then, before I could utter another word, she leaned forward...and we began kissing ever so softly.


    "I love you too, Emile", she said.

 Chapter Two - Kieras Curiosity

    Knowing it was best that her parents remain oblivious of all that was going on between herself and Emile, Kiera continued to teach him in secret. Their love, as it grew, was a different notion altogether.


    Emile''s POV


    Kiera and I had developed a sort of schedule for our get-togethers. We''d start with my lessons which usually lasted for at least an hour and a half or so. While I''d always studied eagerly, we both found ourselves looking forward to the cuddles, caresses, kisses and love-making we shared afterwards.


    "You''ve been doing so well", Kiera whispered as we closed the books, ending my lesson for the night. "I''m so proud of you."


    "I''m just happy I''ve had you to teach me", I replied, gently embracing her. "You''re the best thing that''s ever happened to me, Kiera."


    "I feel the same way about you, Emile. I just wish my father could understand that there''s more to you", Kiera said, reaching up to stroke my cheek. I nodded in agreement but at the same time was deep in thought.


    "What''s it like where you live, Emile?", Kiera wanted to know. "I''ve seen homeless encampments before...but never one in the woods." I chuckled.


    "Well, first of all, there aren''t big mansions with nice yards and fences around them, that''s for sure. That being said, we don''t judge each other and there''s more than enough love to go around. We always help each other as much as possible".


    "Sounds a lot nicer than having to deal with my father and his attitude, Kiera replied. At that, I smiled.


    Kiera''s POV


    In an attempt to keep our relationship under wraps, Emile did his best to come to work every day without paying me any special attention. Although he was kind and polite, we limited any displays of affection to my bedroom after his lessons late at night. It was understood between us that this was just how it had to be. At least, for now.


    Nonetheless, the encampment Emile called home fascinated me. Having grown up with someone as strict, overbearing and snobbish as my father, I almost couldn''t imagine that there actually was such thing as a loving, non-judgmental person!


    In truth, my only examples of such a thing were my mother Aviva and Emile himself. Despite knowing of the desperate poverty he lived in, I yearned for the love he''d known throughout his life. Because, at least that was unconditional. Surely, his mother and father would accept our love!


    July, 2005


    Emile''s POV


    Though winters at the encampment were always a struggle, no one argued that summers were much worse...especially in July which is the hottest month here in Chicago.


    Just to cope with the heat, many, many families including mine swam in the river or chose not to use so many blankets when they slept.


    It was because of said heat, in fact, that Kiera''s mother Aviva decided most of my duties should be inside instead.


    "Keeping the bushes trimmed is one thing", she explained. "but there''s plenty to be done in the house as well."


    So, my job shifted to tasks such as dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping and wiping down the tables and counters. Aviva also allowed me to help fold the laundry with her and Kiera.


    As happy as these changes made Kiera and I, they also made it more difficult to keep our relationship from her parents.


    "Kiera, we should at least let your mother know about us", I whispered as we lay cuddling one night.


    "Emile...", Kiera sighed.


    "I understand that you''re afraid...but your mother''s very kind. It''s not her that dislikes me! You don''t really think us being together would make her angry, do you?", I asked.


    "No, but what happens when she brings it up to my father? They discuss almost everything so, I know she would!", Kiera replied.


    "We can''t sneak around forever", I pointed out. "It''s impossible."


    "I know", said Kiera.


    "There is a bright side to this",  I continued, taking her hand and kissing it gently. "You finally get to meet my Mamma and Papa tomorrow."


    "Yes, it''s a good thing you have weekends off, isn''t it?", Kiera giggled. I nodded.


    "Tell me about how to get to your encampment one more time", she asked. "It''s in the forest about three miles from here, right? The one where all those red mulberry trees grow?"


    "Yeah, and our hovel is the one with the blue tarp at the entrance since we''ve got no door", I reminded her.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "I''ll just tell my parents I''m going for a bike ride on the trail in the woods", Kiera explained. "I do it pretty often so they won''t know I''m making a detour if I don''t say anything."


    "I can''t wait", I told her.


    "Right back at you, cutie", she said, running her hand through my hair.


    I awoke early the following morning to sunlight streaming through the cracks in the hovel''s entrance. Yawning and sitting up on my pallet, I could feel a cool breeze whooshing in as well.


    Quickly but quietly getting up and smoothing out my blankets, I grabbed a towel, a washcloth, a bar of soap, some shampoo and conditioner, a change of clothes and my toiletry items, stuffing them inside my drawstring bag and slinging it over my shoulder. Careful not to wake Mamma and Papa, I tiptoed outside heading to the river for a bath. When I finished and came back, both of them were up and dressed too.


    "Good morning, Emile", said Mamma. "Did you sleep well, dear?"


    "Yes, Mamma", I replied giving her a hug and kissing her cheek. "How about you and Papa?"


    "We did, thank you", she said.


    A few different types of fruit trees grew near the encampment. There were apple trees, paw-paw trees, red mulberry trees and peach trees. We gathered some of each fruit for our breakfast as well as Kiera''s visit that afternoon.


    "Kiera''s very excited to meet you both", I told him. "I think you and Mamma will like her a lot."


    "Son, we need to talk about this little fling you''re having, alright?", he replied, setting down the basket he''d been holding. "Your mother and I understand that you like Kiera a lot but..."


    "Papa, this isn''t a "fling", I said. "Kiera and I are in love!" Papa sighed but nodded.


    "I just hope you''ve been concentrating on your job in lieu of all that''s been going on between the two of you. You go to the Dogwood mansion to work", he said.


    "I understand that", I told him. "It''s just..."


    "Just what?", Papa asked.


    "She isn''t just visiting because she wants to meet you and Mamma. She''s never been to a homeless encampment and...", I began.


    "Emile, what exactly have you been doing besides working over there?", Papa continued, his voice growing stern.


    "I''ve been sneaking over every night so she can teach me to read and write", I replied.


    "Anything else?", he asked.


    "We''ve been intimate...her parents don''t even know", I said.


    "Intimate?! Emile, do you realize the seriousness of this?!", Papa hissed. "If this continues and you''re both found out..."


    "I know..."


    "I don''t think you do!", said Papa.


    "Just please be kind to her", I pleaded.


    "Of course I will", he replied. "I''m just very concerned about both of you.¡±


    Kiera''s POV


    As I rode my bike down the dirt road and into the woods, it didn''t take long for me to find the encampment. Like Emile had told me, it was located among numerous red mulberry trees. What I hadn''t realized was just how many people lived there!


    Some of the hovels were home to only one or two people. However, most of them sheltered rather large families for their size.


    As children in ragged clothes scurried about playing in the sunshine, their parents and older siblings followed close by with wide-eyed babies on their hips.


    It was amid the laughter and various scoldings, that I at last spotted the Bosco family''s hovel...with a smiling Emile waiting out front.


    "Hi Kiera!", he called.


    "Hi Emile", I replied cheerfully as I stopped and parked.


    After we shared an embrace and a quick kiss, I stepped back to take a look at the outside of his home.


    Constructed from large, rusty sheets of metal with an old blue tarp as a sort of curtain instead of a door, I could see a man and woman looking on from the inside. I assumed the couple were Giovanni and Alicia, Emile''s father and mother.


    "Hello, Kiera", said Alicia. "It''s nice to meet you."


    "Welcome, Kiera", Giovanni added, shaking my hand.


    Inside, as we drank some juice and enjoyed some of the fruit Emile and Giovanni had gathered up, I took in everything else around me.


    Made up of two small rooms, the main one consisted of the discarded cushions we sat on, the little, beaten up table we were around, a makeshift stove and two small wooden crates.


    One was being used as a counter and had dishes arranged neatly on top. The other held a few more dishes, some washcloths, a sponge, a few folded towels and a little container of plastic eating utensils.


    In the far corner, I could see a pallet made from faded pillows and worn blankets. Next to that was a camping lantern and a knapsack. Another tarp separated this from the second room which I assumed was where Emile slept.


    ¡°Your home is very unique¡±, I said. ¡°I like it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you¡±, said Giovanni. ¡°We know it isn''t what most are used to but we make do with what we have.¡± I nodded.


    Emile''s POV


    Kiera and I had hoped that her meeting my parents would alleviate the stress surrounding our relationship. That was far from what happened. Although they were nice to Kiera, their quiet, awkward demeanor during the visit and constant arguing afterwards said it all.


    Still, Kiera and I were firm in our decision to continue on together. Unbeknownst to us all, such worries were only the beginning.


    By that September, Kiera had missed her time of the month, was sick in the mornings, tired the rest of the day and feeling unwell as a whole.


    With the possibility of pregnancy looming, I offered to use a bit of my earnings to buy her a pregnancy test¡­but she insisted on taking care of that herself.


    ¡°There''s no way you could sneak past my parents with something like that!¡±, she whispered.


    ¡°Kiera, if you are pregnant, we won''t have a choice but to tell our families¡±, I told her gently. ¡°You know that and so do I.¡± Fighting back tears, Kiera hung her head.


    ¡°I''m scared¡±, she said¡­and though I tried to be strong as I comforted her, I was too.

 Chapter Three - The Truth and its Consequences

    While Hamilton was at work, Aviva was running errands, and I was doing chores at the mansion, Kiera walked across the street to the pharmacy.


    When she returned with the pregnancy test in hand, I waited outside the bathroom door while she took it.


    Those few minutes seemed to crawl by like ants in a line. The result? Positive. I was going to be a father.


    "Please don''t make me tell them by myself", Kiera sniffled.


    "You''re not ever going to be alone, okay?", I told her.


    "What do you want me to do about the baby?", Kiera asked. "I mean...do you want him or her?"


    "Yes, but this is your decision too", I replied. "What would you like to do?"


    "I want to keep the baby", she replied. I kissed her forehead.


    "So do I", I said.


    "I''m home!", Aviva called from downstairs. "Kiera? Emile? Where are you both?"


    "Just a second, mom!", Kiera called back.


    "How are you feeling, sweetheart?", Aviva asked Kiera once we''d come into the living room.


    "Actually, Mom, Emile and I have something we need to discuss with you", said Kiera as we sat down on the couch.


    "Mrs. Dogwood, I want to start by telling you how much I appreciate all that''s been done for me. I really mean that...but...I...", I began. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "Go on...", Aviva urged.


    "Mom, remember all those times I told you and Dad that the wind keeps blowing the gate open at night?", Kiera asked. Aviva nodded.


    "Well, that''s not true", Kiera continued. "You see, I wanted to teach Emile to read and write. So, I let him into my room every night to help him study...but I knew Dad didn''t want him here other than to work."


    "You see, the more time I spent with Kiera", I added, "the more I realized how wonderful she is. We eventually fell in love and now..."


    "I''m pregnant, Mom", Kiera finished. Aviva''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    "My goodness...", she gasped.


    "Kiera and I plan to keep the baby", I replied. "Whatever we have to do."


    "GOOD TO KNOW¡±, boomed Hamilton''s angry voice as he slammed the front door. "BECAUSE YOU''RE FIRED!"


    "Stop yelling at Emile, Dad", said Kiera. "He''s the father of my baby and you''ve always been cruel to him! We''re both tired of it!"


    "The only thing that needs to stop is your involvement with this...this ignorant beggar!  His child has no place here and never will!"


    "Hamilton, this baby is our grandchild!", Aviva interjected.


    "I''LL HAVE NO PART OF SUCH A SHAMEFUL SITUATION!", Hamilton shouted. THESE TWO CHOSE TO SHARE A BED, NOW THEY''RE HAVING AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD! THAT''S NOT YOUR PROBLEM OR MINE! IF KIERA WANTS THIS BABY SO MUCH, SO BE IT...BUT SHE WILL LEAVE THIS HOUSE TONIGHT!¡±


    Kiera''s POV


    Before Emile returned to the encampment, my father took away the nice outfit he and my mother had given him, leaving him only with his final earnings and his tattered clothes. It broke my heart to see him go. As I packed a suitcase and silent tears streamed down my face, all I could think of was him and our baby. It was then that I remembered Emile''s words from earlier in the day :


    "You''re not ever going to be alone."


    Perhaps, as hard as our lives would turn out to be, being with him at the encampment was best. Whether we were poor or not, being surrounded by love was better for this child than being surrounded by hate and anger.


    If I had nothing, no one, not even anywhere to go, there was no way I''d be able to raise the baby myself. I needed Emile''s help!

 Chapter Four - Two More Mouths to Feed

    "Oh my", Mamma gasped.


    "We have to get her dried off and warm right away", said Papa.


    Carrying Kiera to my room on the opposite side of the hovel, I gently encouraged her to try and stay awake.


    "I know you''re very tired but we have to get you changed", I said, setting her down on my pallet. "Come on, you''ve got to sit up, amore mio"


    "Amore mio?", asked Kiera half-asleep.


    "It''s Italian for "my love", I explained. "Remember when I told you that both sets of my grandparents came to Chicago from Italy? My parents taught me their language too." Kiera nodded.


    My room was slightly bigger than the hovel''s main room. My pallet, camping lantern and drawstring bag were situated in one corner, while another makeshift stove stood further off.


    When I got a fire going for us, the shadows of its flame flickered dimly on the sheet metal wall.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    There was also another small wooden crate which held some clothes, extra blankets and a few other miscellaneous things. I had a banjo as well.


    "I still have the basket I slept in when I was a baby", I said. "I''ll line it with some of the blankets so they can use it too."


    As we curled up next to each other and I turned off my lantern, Kiera thanked me for my family having taken her in.


    "I just wish I could offer more", I thought.


    Over the course of Kiera''s pregnancy, while Papa and I did whatever we could for us all to get by, Mamma helped her to adjust to living in the encampment.


    She learned to prepare and cook whatever edible roots and small game were brought home, to forage for nuts and wild fruits, wash dishes and clothes at the river, help keep things clean in and around the hovel, and sew little outfits and cloth diapers for the baby to wear.


    After her baby bump appeared and her belly started to grow, however, it became harder for Kiara to move around without much discomfort.


    She also constantly had to pee, her ankles were swollen and she needed a lot of rest. Because she was emotional too and cried frequently, we all had to remain as patient and understanding as possible.


    Still, her pregnancy wasn''t without its happy moments. From feeling his or her kicks beneath my hand, talking to them and placing little kisses on Kiera''s baby bump, those moments were the most wonderful of all. Since we didn''t know the baby''s gender and therefore didn''t have the perfect name chosen yet, I''d begun referring to them as "piccolo". In Italian, this means "little one".