A woman who makes her living selling fish is pulled into the criminal underworld, where she discovers a talent for power and survival. As she climbs from the market stalls toward the top of a mafia empire, she must decide how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice to rule.
At the word send them back, both children froze. Sylvia turned deathly pale. Ethan absolute terror, throwing himself at my legs, clinging to me for dear life. They shook their heads like terrified pups, pure horror in their eyes. My heart twinged like it was poked with needles. I squatted down, pulling both little bodies into my arms. I'm not sending them
Mabel, I make my own calls. From today on, as long as I have a bite to eat, they never go back to that hellhole. I spent my very last cent at the best tailor in the the neighborhood, buying them brand new wool coats and soft cotton clothes. I boiled a large tub of hot water, washing away years of dirt and pain. When Sylvia put on her pink cotton shirt, her
fingers trembled. She stared at the floor, afraid to look in the mirror. Mommy, Grandma said I only deserve trash clothes. I don't deserve new things. I clenched my fists, pulled her in front mirror, held her small face, and corrected her. Don't listen to that crazy hag. With me, you two too, are the most precious treasures in the world. You deserve the absolute best.
That night, Ethan pressed his cheek against my neck for the first time, letting out a soft, clear giggle. The two kids snuggled on either side of me, falling fast asleep in the warm bed, every trace of fear gone from their eyes. With two extra mouths to feed, my tight finances stretched to the limit. To cover daily expenses
and keep the children fed, I reopened my fish stall at the docks. Sylvia woke up before dawn