“Yup, I thought people would be more generous,” I replied.
Dante scoffed. “What are you on about? I’m talking about being here doing this. What if my friends see me?”
Frankly, I didn’t care if mine did. This was something worthwhile, and it would get me credit at school. Actually, most of my friends’ parents shopped at the weekend. If I spotted them, I could shame them into donating. Great idea! Alert with a plan. I started scanning those arriving. Ah-ha!
“Hi, Mrs Moore!” I said as she glanced over.
“Eddie! How are you?” she asked, avoiding looking at the stand or cart.
“Great, I’m helping the food bank. You know, collecting donations.”
“Ah, yes, a worthwhile endeavour,” Mrs Moore murmured as she began trying to escape.
“Hey Mama Phoe, it’s Chelsea’s mom, Mrs Moore,” I called out and Mrs Moore was caught. Even at fifteen, I understood society’s rules.
“Phoenix, how are you?” Mrs Moore asked.
“Good Abby, how nice to see you,” Mama Phoe replied.
“Mama Phoe, I’m sure Mrs Moore will make a huge donation; she’s so generous,” I stated ingratiatingly.
Mama Phoe sent me a look that stated she knew exactly what I was doing while Mrs Moore blushed and preened a little.
“Yes, you’ve often said that when you’ve stayed over for the night,” Mama Phoe said, adding pressure on.
“Oh, ladies, that’s so kind. Of course, I’ll bring a big donation for you; this is such a worthwhile cause,” Mrs Moore stated.
I spotted Crysta’s mom and discovered a new target. “Hi, Mrs Usher! How nice to see you. We’re collecting for the food bank today!”
“Hello, Eddie, what a wonderful thing to do!” Mrs Usher exclaimed. Mrs Usher was nicer than Mrs Moore. Crysta came rushing over and grinned.
“Mrs Moore just promised a large donation,” I declared guilelessly, and I swear I heard Mama Phoe snort. If I knew society moms, Mrs Usher would want to outdo Mrs Moore.
“I’ll stay and collect with Eddie for a bit,” Crysta said to her mom, who nodded with narrowed eyes at Mrs Moore. Both women smiled brittlely and then hurried into the store. Yup, we’d be getting a big donation.
“Well played, Padawan!” Mama Phoe grinned.
With a friend by my side, we began actually stepping into people’s paths and handing out leaflets. We saw several other moms, and between Crysta and I, we shamed them into donating. Of course, this became an unofficial challenge between them as they all tried to outdo each other, which was exactly what I’d expected. The cart filled up, and we soon had a second filling up nicely. Mama Phoe looked happy.
“Please continue to use those powers for good and not evil,” she whispered, leaning over to me. I giggled and stood straighter with her praise. Crysta left with her mom, but we’d had fun. The rest of the morning trotted past, and I kept using my tactics, but Dante grew darker and grumpier as the hours passed.
Stomach sinking, I began preparing myself because I knew the shithead was going to explode. I wasn’t wrong. Mama Phoe and the other lady, named Mavis, headed in to get drinks, and the moment they’d cleared the door, Dante swung on me.
“Bet you think you’re so clever!” he sneered.
“Dante, not here and not now,” I replied, biting my temper back. I wouldn’t allow him to goad me. Collecting food wasimportant; people and families needed it. Considering how much food we wasted made me cringe. I had to ask what we did with our leftovers.
“Oh yeah, because Miss Perfect can’t create a scene. Why don’t you just fuck off? Nobody wants you around!” Dante snapped, lashing out.
“I’m wanted!” I retorted, my temper spiking.
“Not by your real parents. They dumped you. They guessed what trouble you’d cause. How did we end up with you?” Dante attacked. Two women looked horrified as they paused in their approach to give us some food.
Deep down, I understood that Dante’s anger stemmed from being punished, and that a ten-year-old would feel victimised by it. Plus, our siblings were having a blast at Fanatic and Willow’s house. Fanatic and Willow were spoiling them all. But hell no. Dante had gone there again.
“It’s a shame Mama Phoe didn’t swallow you!” I yelled, and there were further shocked gasps.
“Yeah, Mom should have left you at the orphanage. You understood how to work shit as a baby. Everybody knows you wriggled your way into our lives. Admit it, you saw Mom as an easy mark and hit it,” Dante shouted back.
