Anne crutched herself
onto the lawn and across
to the last table and chairs
at the far end.
Benny followed her
to make sure
she didn’t fall.
She sat in one
of the white chairs
and put her crutches
beside her,
and he sat
opposite her.
Well Kid,
whose rosary
do you think it is?
she took out a rosary
from her skirt pocket
and held it out
on the palm of her hand.
Don’t know,
he said,
looking at the rosary
on her palm.
She held it
before her eyes:
Been well used,
she said.
She sniffed it:
Well old.
He looked behind him
towards the nursing home:
What if someone
saw you take it?
he said.
No one did;
they were all too busy
being busy,
she said.
She put it away
in her pocket again.
What are you going
to do with it?
he asked.
Nothing; I just like
to see if anyone says
they are missing it,
she said.
Why not just hand it
in to one of the nuns?
he said.
Where’s the fun
in that, Kid?
she said,
I like to see
people looking
and asking
if I’d seen something
and knowing I do,
but they don’t.
He nodded
and looked back
at the home.
Don’t keep looking back,
Kid, or they’ll
get suspicious,
she said.
He looked at her:
What if they
saw you take it?
We’ll soon know,
she said, smiling.
After five minutes,
the other kids came out
and wandered over
to the slide and swings
or sat at the other
tables and chairs
or played games
on the lawn.
Then one
of the nuns came out
and crossed
the lawn towards
Anne and Benny.
Look out, kid,
here comes the penguin,
she said.
The nun came to the table:
All right, which one of you
has the rosary?
the nun said,
looking at Anne.
Rosary? what’s that?
Anne said,
gazing at the nun.
You know
what a rosary is,
the nun said,
looking at Benny,
and I want it back now.
Benny looked at Anne;
Anne gazed at the nun.
Well?
the nun said.
Anne said:
I haven’t seen it;
what’s it look like?
The nun gazed at her:
I know you have it;
you were seen
by one of the children,
and she told me.
Anne smiled
and took out the rosary:
Gosh, how’d this
get in my pocket?
I bet that girl
put it in there
to get me into trouble,
Anne said.
The nun took the rosary:
It is a sin to steal;
it is one of the Ten Commandments,
the nun said.
She eyed them both
then walked back
towards the home.
It was worth a try,
Anne said,
but next time
I’ll see whose bloody eyes
are looking.
Benny nodded and hoped
there wouldn’t be a next time,
he hated
the crime upon crime.