“I’ve known Yoss for a long time, Imogen. I found him as a twelve-year-old kid. Did he ever tell you about how we met?” Manny asked.
I shook my head. I didn’t want to hear anything this man had to say. I wanted Yoss’s history from his lips. Not from the man who took his innocence and sold it to the highest bidder.
But I listened.
Because I couldn’t help it.
“He was attacked by two men. Just over there.” Manny pointed to the line of trees on the other side of the bridge.
“They beat him up pretty bad, but it could have been worse. He was small for his age. Thin, scared. He had been through a lot that was obvious. I stepped in and made sure those guys never messed with him again.” He seemed so proud of himself. It made me want to slap him.
“So you took advantage of him. Because he was vulnerable!” I accused.
“I helped him take control of his life. I gave him options. I helped him survive,” Manny argued in a calm, placating voice.
I curled my lip in revulsion. “It’s sick, you know.” Manny raised an eyebrow. “How you can justify pimping out children for money? They look to you for safety. For security. They’re out here because they have nowhere to go and they are desperate for a home. For belonging. So you give it to them. At a price.”
“I think you have the wrong idea about me, Imi—”
“Donotcall me that! Only my friends call me Imi,” I warned him, moving away from him. His words coated me in a layer of filth. Even though I had just showered hours before, I felt dirty again.
“Imogen, Yoss, the boys, they’re my family. Ilovethem.”
“I think everyone would be better off without your brand oflove,”I shouted.
Manny looked out at the river, his round face thoughtful. “I understand you don’t like me. That’s fine. But I sincerely wish you and Yoss all the best. And I was glad to be able to help him out so you could start your new life.”
There it was. The bomb Manny had been waiting to drop.
“What are you talking about?”
I knew.
“He came to me this afternoon. He needed money. I was able to get him one last job that would set the two of you up for a long time. Yoss is a good boy. He’ll take care of you.”
I jumped to my feet, my heart thumping madly. “Where is he?” I whispered.
“What was that?” Manny asked, cocking his head to the side again. I was close to violence. I felt it crackling in my veins.
“Where’s Yoss?” I said louder.
“The Meyer’s movie theater. The alley in the back is nice and secluded.”
The movie theater. Where we had watched Fiddler on the Roof.
That’s where he was.
He promised he would never let himself be used like that again.
Liar.
I turned and ran. Manny called my name, but I didn’t stop.
I ran and I ran.
He was there.
I had been berating myself for doubting him.
