"Here you go, five even-you can keep the change okay?" Miracle looked at the Lincoln in his hand then back at his mother and softly smiled. "Go invite Aliyah to get some ice cream with you, sounds good?" He nodded again and she sighed. Even though she gave him a heartfelt hug only a mother could give, Miracle looked detached. It was the right decision, he deserved the truth but it still felt horrid to tell him.

Miracle folded the bill and put it in his pocket before grabbing his biking gloves and knee pads. The dogs seem to have sensed his emotions and kept away from him until further notice. The Sunday sun was blazing and practically drying all the puddles Saturday left. Grabbing his bike he slipped onto the seat and started riding to the gate. Even though the lock could cook an egg, he effortlessly unlocked it. Closing the gate behind him he wrapped the key necklace on his neck. The dirt road was difficult to ride in so he mainly walked the bike till he hit sidewalk.

Knocking on Aniyah's door was nerve-wracking, to say the least. He never knew what to expect from Leraine, what absurd look she conjured up to greet him with. The door opened and he was met with a green face mask and curlers. He thought, well that isn't too bad "afternoon child, it's hot out. What brings ya here?" She yawned, sipped her glass of mango tea, and readjusted her blush robe. She must've gone to church early in the morning to give her time to relax the rest of the day. Aniyah peaked out from behind her hip, her hair redone for the week.

"S'wanted to ask Aniyah to come to the ice cream shop with me. The one near downtown by our school? Má gave me five bucks" he softly gulped. She looked him up and down before glancing at Aniyah, almost asking her for thoughts. The little girl looked back at her aunt before she smiled.

"She'd love to, we got her a new bike from church. Keep her safe okay? Make sure she looks before crossing the road" Miracle gave a curt nod in response. Aniyah disappeared into the house to look for her gear. "Somthin botherin ya boy? Ya seem" she thought for a moment taking another sip "ya looked like ya saw a ghost."

He gave a side smile "mamá told me about papá and why I never see him." Leraine's eyes widened at his response. She was about to speak before stopping herself.

"What did she tell ya exactly?"

"That he's dead. That's it."

I was about to tell this boy his daddy was shot she sighed in relief. "M'sorry Miracle, I know it must be hard. I was hopin she'd tell ya sooner but she wasn't ready. I remember movin here and you were like this little" she motioned towards her knee with her hand. She glanced up to remember "maybe two or three. Met ya mama while she was walken them dogs. And man, she cried for your father. Every June 13th we have a drink and she sob for him. Ya mother was still processing his death too. I don't think, truly, she has finished mourning." She looked down at him, her heart feeling sore from the pain. "Ya never met ya daddy and I think that's more of a blessin than anythin" she started to explain. "Because to make a bad bitch like that cry so much, must've been a good man-excuse my language" she quickly corrected. "And I know, from personal experience, that knowing a good dead man is harder than not knowing him before he died." Miracle rubbed his upper arm shifting his weight between his feet. It was a lot to take in, but at least he knew a tiny bit more about his dad.

Aniyah finally came out with her helmet and padding running down the steps of the porch to her bike chained to the backyard fence. "Ice cream" she dragged out, she was beyond excited bouncing on her feet. Miracle softly smiled at her then started to ride her tailgating.

The heat was almost unbearable, the only thing that kept them moving was the wind they kicked up by riding. A quarter of an hour rides to finally get to downtown. The buildings were made of old brick, the lights looked antique and even the street signs were still on wooden posts. Perfectly persevered since the 1920s and a good tourist area. "De-de-de-de-de-de-de-de" Aniyah started as they hit the brick road and she started to bounce on her seat. Miracle looked back at her to make sure she didn't slip like last time. He envied her silliness and felt heavy as she enjoyed herself.

Since being told about his father being dead life took on a more gloomy tone. He has to man up and help his mother since his father clearly wasn't going to be there to do so. It was getting difficult to get happy, his innocence shattered and his hope burnt to ash. His lungs felt like cinder blocks with every breath he took, trying to fight back tears. Like that one show said "only babies cry, a real man toughs it out" and he felt like he had to now.

Katie's Kreamery in big bubbly rainbow letters stood out greatly with the almost grayness of the downtown. Bubbles were painted on the windows and there was even a bike rack outside the store which Miracle and Aniyah took advantage of. The inside was any little kid's dream: brightly colored murals, bean bag chairs, adorable memorabilia spread out on the walls, and the best part was the tables and booths were even themed. Miracle's favorite part was the vintage care bears strung together by plastic pastel chains across the back wall. Today though, it didn't bring him joy, it will be gone too. Aniyah kept tugging at his hand, unable to keep her excitement in check.

"Hey you two, want the usual again?" The teen worker asked with a tune to her voice. Her uniform was simple enough, a bright green collared shirt and blue shorts. Although even with the heat, she wore leggings and long sleeves under her uniform for modesty, as well as a bright green hijab to match her uniform.

"Yeah Amarah some butter pecan for me- oh no" he turned his face away covering his eyes. He noticed a piece of her hair curled out onto her forehead "your hair is out! I can't see it! That's Halem or Hamem!"

"Haram is the word you are looking for. I'm glad you at least got close" she giggled and tucked it away. "Also yes you are allowed, you're only eight Miracle. It isn't until you are hitting puberty that I should be concerned about. Children, male or not, are allowed to touch me and see my hair." She reassured as he looked back "everyone else might think you're a grown man but you're still a baby. I mean your voice hasn't even dropped yet" she giggles as he feels embarrassed. "Pecan right? And birthday cake for you Aniyah?" She squealed in response, hanging onto the counter.

Miracle sat there distant again as he watched her fill their waffle bowls with ice cream. I am a kid, a kid who has a dead dad, a kid who gets bullied, but I'm still a kid he reflected. He is a kid even though he's dealing with adult things like grief and discrimination he's still a kid he realized. He started smiling brightly and felt the weight of the world come off his shoulders. He involuntarily started to bounce with Aniyah and Amarah giggled at the scene. "Little jumping beans, so excited for your ice cream. Makes my day each time." She set the bowls in cardboard containers sticking two spoons in them. "That'll be $4.40" she held her hand out as he placed the bill in it.

Once Aniyah was handed her ice cream she rushed to a book and tried her best to hop up onto it. "Let me help" he put his bowl on the table and grabbed her under the armpits and put her in the seat. Once he sat down, a shiver crept up his spine. It wasn't a brain freeze or the coldness of the shop-no. It was eyes, eyes burning caverns into the nape of his neck almost like it was a laser trying to melt his spinal cord. Aniyah seemed to have picked up on Miracle's change in aura and leaned over slightly to see who it was.

"Blonde, freckles, boy" she started to describe but Miracle shushed her, turning her face to her food with his finger. Miracle recognized the description, it was Kyle. He lived uptown, why did he come down here? If he stayed still maybe he wouldn't be seen, just don't bring attention to himself and he won't notice.

The ringing of the bells echoed through the shop as the door was opened. Miracle felt cold in his chest and legs he's here now was all that echoed through his head. His plastic spoon rattled against the waffle bowl as he tried to calm himself into scooping some ice cream into his mouth. A loud bang echoed the silent shop as the boy slammed his hands into the table he snatches the ice cream from Miracle and Aniyah's hands. Handing the other one to his sidekick "enjoy yourself Ben, Miracle and his little girlfriend ordered it for us, aren't they so kind?" He chuckled and took a spoonful of Miracle's ice cream "mmm! This is so good, my favorite. How did you know?"

Aniyah started to bawl "m-my ice cream!" Her face curled as her body shook.

"She's not my girlfriend!" Miracle barked out "I don't even like girls!" His face dropped as he realized what he said. This caused Kyle and his sidekick to ooo. He laughs and takes another bite thinking of a good remark.

"No wonder you're gay, that's why your dad left!" There was a cacophony of laughter between the two boys, so loud Amirah came out of the bathroom. Not to mention Aniyah was crying loudly which was a call for concern. She recognized the two, always had disgusting mothers and said their prejudiced remarks towards her. Now the little bastard was alone and the town was oddly quiet.

"Ay! You two little pigs. Get out of here- oh my Allah you stole their ice cream" she hurried towards them and reached for the bowls only for the boys to swing their arms away. She reached again and the two took a few steps back

"Oh no don't bomb me for this ice cream" he whined then looked towards Ben before giggling and sticking his tongue out.

Amirah's eye only twitched once before she bent down and yanked off her slip-on shoe. She threw it up once in the air before catching it and launching it to Kyle's head. He barely dodges as it hits the wall with a soft plat and he drops the ice cream "dirty little pig." She growled out and grabbed her other shoe, the boys glanced at each other and started running screaming for help. With the other shoe in hand, she ran out and stomped a couple of times "and stay out!" She watched them go on their electric scooters. Even with her feet burning on the sidewalk she watched a few more seconds until they rounded the corner.

She stepped inside and her feet slapped against the colorful tile "how is she?" Amirah walked over to the two as Aniyah was still crying, she reached over and held the girl against her hip and let her cry. "Shh shh, I'll make you new ice cream for free. Wanna hold one of the care bears?" The little girl nodded, sliding off the seat and pointing to the purple one. Amirah stood on a chair and unchained it, handing it to her. Aniyah sniffled and hugged the bear close to her face, Amirah shivered "gonna have to wash that later. C'mon let me make you two ice cream."

The new ice cream was filled with sprinkles, gummies, and anything else the two asked for. Once finished with full bellies it was time to leave, "hey thank you so much Amirah. I don't know what I'd do without you." Miracle hugged the girl. She softly smiled.

"I've dealt with his brother, he's nothing new."

"Oh god, that's right you do go to school with Hunter." He shivered at the mere thought of dealing with an older Kyle.

"Yep, got two more years with him before I graduate. I mean at least I can drive now so he can't follow me" she shrugged. She held Miracle's shoulders and made him look up at her "I know what your mom taught you. But sometimes you have to get physical to make those boys back off Miracle. You have height and strength, one good pluck can send them running to their moms. Why so scared?"

Miracle looked down at his hands then back up at her "you and I both know he wouldn't get in trouble only I would." Her eyes saddened a bit "yeah you know I'm right" she nodded.

"Get home safe."

Aniyah and Miracle left the shop unlocking their bikes and riding off. Once they passed the corner they heard the sounds of motors following them. Aniyah looked back and screamed riding faster, Miracle looked back to see Kyle and Ben chasing quickly after them. As the distance became shorter and shorter, Miracle thought quickly and hopped in his bike splashing a muddy puddle and it got on the two. They spat out dirt and slowed down a bit, this only seemed to anger them as Miracle and Aniyah made a speedy hast. Although creating some good distance, the boys started their motors again and began their chase. "Cmon Aniyah we can do it!" Frantically crossing roads and getting beeped at by cars wasn't a very pleasant thing for their sensitive ears but it was better than what those boys would do to Miracle or worse, Aniyah. They both felt deep relief once they saw the roads becoming bare and the flora becoming dense.

Miracle glanced back to see if they were still following there is no way with those scooters but he softly gasped, they were. Those scooters were riding in the dirt so easily. His rush of fear started to fade as he saw the red metal fence, but with that he started feeling heavy as if he was made of cement: the full stomach, the heat, and the rushing to safety for ten straight minutes were getting to him. "Cmon Aniyah, we have to make it to my house okay?" Aniyah was drenched in sweat but she nodded.

He got to the gate first and unlocked it quickly, hurling his bike in and the dogs barely dodge it and barked. He grabbed Aniyah and yanked her in and she fell to the ground to be inspected by dogs. He shuts it and locks it as the two come to a stop at the gate. The dogs came too and started barking and snarling protecting Miracle and Aniyah, the boys jumped away as Precious stood against the gate and it gave slightly to her weight. The threatening dogs were enough to make the two back off and run away.

Mireya wiped the last piece of vomit off of Aniyah's mouth cooing "all done sweetie or still got more in ya?" Aniyah nodded and softly sobbed, Mireya looked at the now dirty toilet and full bucket "that was a waste of a good Lincoln." Miracle giggled at her "but you're safe, that's what matters. And Aniyah I called your aunt, she'll be here after she finishes buying groceries." Amirah nods, being led to the living room and Mireya turns the TV on.

Miracle sat beside her as she rocked softly whimpering. He glanced over "that was a bad meltdown huh? Did I hug you too tight?" She shook her head and stayed quiet. He changed the channel to My Little Pony, he went to grab a weighted blanket and wrapped it around her. It was the most he could do while she shut down. He lowered the volume so it didn't hurt her head too much and shushed the dogs. They didn't bark much in the house anyway but there was no harm in extra measures. "I'll be in my room if you need me okay?" He was met with silence but that's all he needed for an answer.

"Hey, ma. Can I talk to you for a sec?" Mireya looked up from her knife and apple.

"Of course mi bebé, how is that even a question" she chuckles and pops an apple slice into her mouth.

"I'm scared of what Kyle is going to do. He knows where we live now, what if he comes to hurt me or bring his brother and hurts you?" He spewed out rapidly.

Mireya nodded and sympathized with him, that fear being second nature to her "it's okay, you're safe here. The dogs won't let anything happen to you." He nodded "go and take a nap, what happened was really scary. I'll stay with Aniyah to make sure she's okay. Is she in shutdown?" He nodded and pulled away "okay good. Would you two like a couple of chicken nuggets?" He nodded again.

Miracle slumped up to his room, creaking open his door and Lake rushed in. He groans and faceplants into his bed, Lake right there with him to lay beside his head. A nap does sound lovely and with that he let the darkness engulf him like a warm blanket in winter.