Page 116 of Sheltering You

Was Dari here? Was he looking for them?

But they stepped into Grand Central Station at quarter till eight without incident, and even Jasmine was wide-eyed as she gazed at the main concourse. People scurried in all directions, their voices and clatter echoing off the tile floor and walls. Images of the constellations in the zodiac stretched across the green arched ceiling that towered overhead. Today, there were extra lights along the edges, thanks to the coming holiday.

“It’s so big,” Rabie said.

“Amazing,” Jasmine added.

Rabie looked around. “My sister is here?”

Derrick glanced at the iconic clock that stood above the information deck in the middle of the space. If the stories were true and it was a minute fast, then they were right on time. “Come on.” He took Jasmine’s hand so they wouldn’t get separated—and he wouldn’t think how perfect it felt in his. She held Rabie’s, and Derrick led them past the harried travelers to the market at the far end of the blocks-long building.

He’d never been in here before, and as soon as they stepped inside, he knew he’d been wise to avoid it. The space was narrow—or felt narrow, anyway, with all the vendors lined on either side. Everything a person could want. Baskets overflowing with brightly colored produce. Racks of sweatshirts and hats and keychains—and more food, packaged and fresh and prepared. So many colors and flavors. It was a cacophony of sounds…and sights and smells. Was that a thing? A cacophony of smells?

He was glad for his height as he peered above heads, searching for the shop Michael had told him about. He almost missed it because the place was decked out in red and green and looked more like the kind of place you’d buy a Christmas ornament than a box of candy.

“Over here.” He tugged Jasmine’s hand. “Come on.”

They made it to the chocolatier, and he found a spot at the end of the glass case. “You two pick something out. Take your time.”

Jasmine gave him a narrow-eyed glance but did as he’d asked, perusing the selections with Rabie.

Derrick hadn’t shared the plan with her because he hadn’t wanted the kid to know. Paranoid? No question, but the last thing he wanted was for any more of Dari’s thugs to show up. Not that Rabie could’ve alerted his brother but…

Yeah. Definitely paranoid.

At least he wasn’t alone in that.

A man about six inches shorter than Derrick approached, Hispanic with a beard and mustache. He nodded at Derrick. “You ready for Christmas?”

The secret phrase Michael had told him to expect, like he was some sort of spy.

Relieved he wouldn’t be making this handoff alone, Derrick gave him the expected answer. “Got a little more shopping to do.”

“Me, too,” Michael’s friend said. “Saw some good stuff near the door.”

Which Derrick figured meant Basma was on her way.

“I’ll check it out.”

The man moved along but stopped on the opposite side of the candy shop.

Jasmine told a clerk what items she wanted while Derrick kept his gaze on the people moving past the many stalls.

There were a handful of women who wore hijabs, most traveling in packs or with men or children. Derrick studied their faces. He hadn’t gotten a long look at Basma, but he thought he’d recognize her.

But when he caught sight of Rabie’s sister, she wasn’t wearing a hijab or a headscarf but a knit cap, a worn wool coat, and blue jeans.

She saw him, and then her gaze skimmed past him, and her face lit up. She seemed as if she wanted to break into a run. She didn’t, though, just continued at the same pace.

Derrick didn’t miss the tears in her eyes when she walked by him. She reached Rabie and tapped his shoulder.

The boy turned, and Basma dropped to her knees and opened her arms.

Rabie stepped in, and they held onto each other for a long, long time.

Over their heads, Jasmine caught Derrick’s eyes, and in her expression, he saw gratitude and tenderness and…

And things he couldn’t bear.