    up, Delaney kicked him in the arm, dropping him to the ground
again.
“You can stay here until I’m gone. Little maggot. Little worm can
crawl on the ground.”
When he was safely gone, Fintan got up and dusted himself off.
He inspected his school uniform. Nothing ripped or pulled. He
sighed with relief. There was no visible evidence of the incident he
would have to explain to teachers or parents. They said he should
always report bullying and they said he would be protected, but they
had no idea what the repercussions of snitching would be. It was
easier to lose the money and leave things as they were.
Afternoon classes were miserable for Fintan. He wasn’t sure
which was worst between the pain in his back, the hunger in his
stomach or the smug grin from Delaney who licked his lips and
patted his belly thanking Fintan for the free lunch. After what
seemed like an eternity, the bell rang, and Fintan grabbed his
backpack and ran for the door. If he wasn’t quick the bullies might
find him again.
He ran all the way home.
*
Fintan always loved late summer and early autumn in Ireland.
The nights were cool with clear skies, and if he stayed up late enough,
he could see the stars in all their glory. He had just finished dinner
and came out to sit in the fields behind his house. He watched the sky
darken and change through its brilliant colors, from dark blue,
through rusty reds and finally to black. His favorite part was when he
got to watch the stars twinkle into view one by one.
His back still hurt, but he decided not to let it bother him.
His chest tightened as looked at the sky. Only the brightest stars
were visible now. Polaris to the North was bright as always. He
imagined generations of sailors looking up to it, comforted by its
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