A Ring for Cinderella by Judy Christenberry Page B

him.
    “Yeah. I fell asleep.”
    “Sorry we were so late. Gramp said to give you his love.”
    “Is he feeling better?”
    Zach exchanged a rueful smile with Susan. “Uh, yeah, he’s feeling better. He may get to go home in a couple of days.”
    “Will you go with him?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Oh. I’ll miss you.”
    The sadness in the little boy’s voice touched him. “Hey, buddy, we’ll still see each other.”
    “We’ll talk about it later,” Susan said. “You close your eyes, or you’ll be too tired to play with Manuel tomorrow.” Then she glared at Zach.
     
    Susan felt boxed in. She wanted to do the right thing for both Paul and Pete Lowery. But she didn’t see how she could meet both their needs.
    As they climbed the stairs to their apartment, Zach right behind her, she continued to struggle with her decision.
    When they reached the top step, she heard Rosa wailing. Pushing Paul toward Zach, along with her keys, she said, “Take him into the apartment. I have to see what’s wrong with Rosa.”
    “Maybe Manny is sick?” Paul suggested anxiously as she knocked on the door.
    Rosa, her eyes red, her cheeks tear-streaked, opened the door.
    “Rosa, what’s wrong?”
    “Pedro lost his job,” she said with a sob. “They’re going out of business. They’re not even going to pay him for this week’s work. He looked all afternoon for more work, but there was nothing. Oh, Susan, I don’t think the landlord will let us stay here.”
    “Oh, no!” Susan exclaimed, hugging her friend. “Look, I have a little extra money this month—”
    “No! We can’t take your money. We will—will find something. If not, we’ll move in with my mother-in-law.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks even as she said the words.
    Susan knew how difficult life would be for Rosa in those circumstances, but she couldn’t think of anything to say.
    “What kind of work does your husband do?”
    That quiet question from Zach surprised both of them. Susan let Rosa answer.
    “He’s a carpenter. And with winter coming—” Rosa stopped and buried her face in her apron.
    “A carpenter? Is he home?”
    “Yes,” Rosa said, “but he’s upset. I don’t think—”
    “I may have a job for him,” Zach said calmly, as if he wasn’t offering something monumental.
    Rosa and Susan stared at Zach and then at each other. Then Susan urged. “Get Pedro.”
    As soon as Rosa disappeared, she turned back to Zach. “Pedro is a good worker. It would be wonderful if you have something for him.”
    “We’ll see. It depends on his experience.”
    Before she could question him, Rosa reappeared with Pedro at her side. He looked discouraged.
    “Pedro? I’m Zach Lowery,” Zach said extending his hand. “Why don’t we go downstairs and discuss a job I have available that you might be interested in.”
    Pedro silently followed Zach down the stairs. Rosa grabbed Susan’s hand and squeezed. “Oh, Susan, if only... Do you think he might hire him?”
    “I don’t know, Rosa. We’ll have to wait and see.” She turned to Paul, still standing by their front door. “I’ve got to get Paul to bed. Is Manuel already asleep?”
    “Yes. We tried not to let him know how bad things were, but he could tell something was wrong and was upset” Rosa wrung her hands. “I’m so afraid to hope.”
    “I’ll put Paul to bed, then come back out Hang on for a few minutes more.”
    She took her little brother inside and helped him get ready for bed, telling him not to worry. Then she tucked him in with one of his new books and closed the door behind her. She went back outside and settled
     on the top step with Rosa, putting her arm around her.
    The two of them sat silently. There wasn’t anything to say. Both knew how important the conference going on down below was to Rosa’s future.
    When the two men came into view, Rosa squeezed Susan’s hand so tightly, she thought it might fall off. Then Rosa sobbed as she stared at her husband. Susan, too,