A Thieving Child

“Zarin, what are you doing?” Kelly knelt down in the sand next to her older brother. She was trying to be careful and not get her new white, Sunday dress all ruined. Zarin looked back and smiled at her, his grin mischievous.

“See that ball?” he whispered, pointing to the round rubber ball that was next to a chubby ten year old licking a chocolate popsicle. The chocolate was all over his chin and cheeks, his grubby fingers getting the mess all over his beautiful red and gold ball. Kelly nodded, tilting her head to the side. Zarin didn't seem to care that his brand new church suit was getting covered in wet sand and ripping from the rose bush that he was hiding behind. She pulled on his sleeve.

“Zarin no! Don't you remember what Daddy said?” She tugged insistently, but he shrugged her off.

“Look at it Kelly!” he whispered in excitement, hardly even noticing the girl pulling on his arm, “isn't it so pretty?”

“Zarin! Daddy said no more! He said if you do it again. . .”

“Dad doesn't have to know everything,” Zarin snapped, pulling his arm free, “Go bug someone else Kelly.”

“I'll tell!” Kelly stood up, her little hands balled into fists on her hips, “I promise I will!” Zarin grabbed her and pushed her down into the dirt, smearing it all over her dress. Tears rose to her eyes and she tried to roll away from him but he held her there.

“No you won't,” Zarin hissed angrily, “You won't because if you do I will put bubble gum all in your hair and then make mom cut it all off!” The tears overflowed and she pushed him with all her strength. Zarin moved away from her and looked through the bushes once more. “It's only a little ball, Kelly,” He said, almost apologetically.

“Daddy said no,” Kelly murmured angrily under her breath, sitting with her back to him. Zarin frowned and sat down behind her, pulling her into his lap the way he used to when she was a baby and gave her a hug, for a moment she squirmed, then she stopped and hugged him back.

“If I get it, then you can have it,” he promised, “I know Mitch popped your last one.” Kelly sniffled into his shirt, Zarin smiled and patted her head. “See? Everything's going to be fine.”

“Dad said someday you'll go to jail,” Kelly whimpered.

“Dad's wrong,” Zarin said harshly, “Do you. . .” he shook his head, changing his mind on what he was going to say, “Dad can't lock me up anymore.”

“Okay,” Kelly sniffed and Zarin hugged her again.

“You're so little,” he told her, almost giggling-but Zarin was too old to giggle now. “Like a little doll.” Kelly stuck her tongue out at him.

“Just go get me the ball Zarin Clyde,” she ordered, pointing with her little fingers. Zarin mock saluted her then put her down on the grass instead of the dirt.

“Be right back!” he promised.

Kelly waited.

Zarin snuck on his belly, keeping his head low to the ground as he crawled like a spider to where the older boy was sitting. If he happened to hear anything then Zarin's cover would be blown and he'd be in big trouble. Big kids didn't approve of little kids sneaking up on them.

Zarin grit his teeth, digging his hands into the soft grass. Well, he wasn't a little kid anymore. He was big now too. He could try to beat him up, but Zarin would win. Just because he wanted to. That's the way it worked.

Like him wanting that ball. He wanted it, so he would have it.

The little boy grinned, pulling himself closer and closer to the edge of the park to where the boy was still sloppily eating. He wouldn't see him. Don't see me, Zarin thought to himself, creeping slowly forward, please don't see me. I'm not here, you're eating a popsicle and enjoying it. Don't see me. I'm not here. . .

He was only a few feet away now. . . just a few more seconds. . .
* * *

“Zarin!” Kelly yelped in surprise when her brother came back, he was walking with pride, his back straight and his head held up. There was a little red and gold ball tucked under his arm and a look of absolute satisfaction upon his young face.

And a great big bloodied gash across his cheek and a swelling black eye.

“What happened?” Kelly cried, running over to him. He handed her the ball.

“I didn't look behind me,” Zarin said happily, lounging on the damp grass. “Turns out usually big kids have friends.”

“What did you do?”

“I took it anyway. Turns out big kids aren't nearly as tough as they think they are either.”