"Jerry did it too?" "Yes."Jerry did it too?" "Yes. When he was your age of course. Where do you think the money coming from for Jerry to go to college next year?" Mr. Edwards said. "I don't know. He has a scholarship,... or something doesn't he?" The man laughed, "Yeah he does, boy. Only he got it seven years ago. You understand? When you're older, I'm sure he'll take care of you too. With your schoolwork I doubt that you get into college, but you'll want other things I'm sure. Nice clothes, a car?" Rafael smiled, then nodded slowly. "Yeah! Okay,... I'll do it. Whatever he wants huh? Even back there? Like Cal and me?" Mr. Edwards smiled, "'specially back there Raffy. Let's say that's the main attraction. The main course. The rest is just icing on the cake." Rafael smirked and stepped forward, his dark eyes lighting up with excitement, "So who is he?" he asked. Mr. Edwards smiled and pointed at the wall. He pointed at the space in the center of the bookcase, at the picture in the middle, at the picture of Mr. Alan E. Baker. "Jesus!" Rafael gasped. "Him? He's a millionaire." The man smiled and came around from behind the table and placed his hands on the boy's small shoulders. He could feel the warm strength of the boy's lithe young body. "He's more than that, boy. Much more. If you're good, and I mean very good,... there's a chance he might adopt you. You'd be a very rich boy." Rafael nodded, his mind working quickly. He replayed the pictures he'd just seen in the magazine again and again, only he was the young boy and Jerry was the older boy and Mr. Baker was their 'father'. Rafael nodded slowly, "Good? You mean that I should do anything Mr. |