A social worker will be involved by tomorrow morning. Everything will be done properly. I am not taking him anywhere he does not want to go. If he wants to stay here, he stays here. Mr. Patel looked down at Elijah.
"Beta," he said softly, "do you trust this man?" Elijah considered the question with the same gravity he had given every question that had been asked of him that evening. He looked up at Richard. He looked for a long time. "Yes, Mr. Patel."
I trust him. He believed me on the first time. He didn't make me say it twice. Mr. Patel nodded once. He went back behind the counter.
He opened a small drawer beneath the register and took out a folded piece of paper that was creased and re-creased from being folded and unfolded many times. He brought it out and handed it to Richard. This is my phone number, sir. I work the night shift here Tuesday through Saturday. If anything happens to that boy, anything at all, you will call me first.
Before you call any office. Before you call any agency. Before any newspaper. You will call me. Yes.
"Yes, Mr. Patel." I will. Good. He turned back to Elijah and crouched again. He took the boy by the shoulders.
"Be brave. You have always been brave. This is no different. And eat. Whatever he gives you, eat."