TWENTY FOUR

LILY’s POV

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” ― Desmond Mpilo Tutu

It took us hours to get here but the sky is still dark by the time our cars come to a halt at the edge of town. Jonas’ turf lays ahead but the marketplace where he usually collects his money is rather empty. There is an almost serene feeling to the entrance of his turf as a shroud of early morning mist envelopes the place.

And as I stare out the heavily tinted window, I can see but a few trades there, all getting their stalls of fruits, poultry and vegetables ready for the coming trade that the day will bring.

I wonder how much Jonas robs them of their wages of hard work. Back in our village, we had to pay more than half of our earnings to the Mafia. I exhale, funny how I am now on the other side of the fence.

Tore kills the engine of the black four-wheel drive and scrolls down his window,