Chapter 6 - The Boy from the Alley
Two weeks later.
The afternoon sun shone brightly over the historic cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill. The ancient oak trees were bursting with fresh green leaves, and the air smelled of blooming lilacs and salt water from the harbor.
The iron gates of the Blackwood Estate stood wide open.
In the center of the private courtyard garden, beside the shimmering stone koi pond, Lily sat on a wooden bench wrapped in a soft cashmere blanket. She looked healthy, her color restored, her hazel eyes bright with laughter as she fed small pieces of bread to the giant gold and orange fish swimming near the surface.
"Emperor is getting fat," Lily giggled, pointing a finger at the massive orange koi with the torn fin.
Sitting on the stone wall beside her was Joey. He was wearing brand-new clothes—a dark blue sweater, jeans, and clean leather sneakers—though he still stubbornly insisted on wearing his old, faded Red Sox cap.
"He's not fat, he's just fast," Joey argued playfully, tossing a crumb into the water. "He steals all the food before Sunset can get any."
Sitting at a wrought-iron garden table nearby, sipping black coffee while reviewing documents on his tablet, was Robert Blackwood.
He looked up from his screen, watching the two children laugh together. A profound, unshakeable sense of peace filled his chest—a feeling he hadn't experienced since Eleanor had passed away four years ago.
Marcus walked into the garden, carrying a thin leather portfolio. He walked over to Robert’s table and leaned down, lowering his voice.
"I finished the background check on the Fletcher family, sir," Marcus reported quietly.
Robert set his coffee cup down. "What did you find?"
"Joey’s story checks out entirely," Marcus said, handing a file to Robert. "His father was a decorated Marine who died in Afghanistan six years ago. His mother passed away from cancer two years later. Joey has been living with his uncle, Thomas Fletcher—a hardworking, honest blacksmith who runs a small scrap-metal shop in South Boston. They're living hand-to-mouth, barely making rent on a tiny basement apartment."
Robert looked at the file, reading through the official reports, his jaw tightening as he realized how hard the young boy's life had been. Yet despite the crushing poverty and loss, Joey had retained a soul so pure, so courageous, that he had risked everything to save a girl he barely knew.
Robert stood up from the table and walked over to the koi pond.
"Joey," Robert said gently.
May you like
Joey looked up from the water. "Yes, Mr. Blackwood?"
"Come with me for a minute," Robert smiled. "I want to show you something."
