Market Morning

Alvaro sat in his stroller, watching the busy market around him. Colorful fruit stands lined the walkways, and the smell of fresh bread floated through the air. His mama pushed the stroller slowly, stopping to look at bright red apples.

"Buenos días," said the fruit seller, smiling at Alvaro. The baby grinned back, his big brown eyes sparkling.

Mama picked up a pineapple, testing its weight. "This one looks good," she said in English.

Alvaro wanted to tell her the pineapple was perfectly ripe. He opened his mouth, then quickly closed it. Mama didn't know he could understand both languages. She thought he was just a normal baby.

"Ma-ma," he said instead, clapping his tiny hands.

Two men in dark jackets watched from near the flower stand. They whispered to each other, pointing at different families. Alvaro noticed them but didn't think much about strangers at the market.

The morning sun made everything bright and cheerful. Maplecross Market felt safe and happy.

The Flower Woman's Warning

Mama stopped to smell the roses at the flower stand. The sweet scent filled the air around them.

"Estas flores son hermosas," said a woman with short hair and kind eyes. She wore a green apron over her jeans.

"Thank you," Mama replied in English, not understanding the Spanish.

Alvaro wanted to tell Mama that the woman said the flowers were beautiful. He opened his mouth, then caught himself. "Ba-ba," he said instead, pointing at a yellow rose.

The two men in dark jackets moved closer. One pulled out his phone and made a call. "The baby at the flower stand," he whispered. "Yes, I'm sure. I heard him talking yesterday."

The flower woman noticed the men watching. Something felt wrong. She stepped between them and Alvaro's stroller.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" she asked firmly.

The men looked at each other. One shook his head. They walked away, but stayed within sight of the market.

Mama bought three roses and tucked them into her shopping bag. She had no idea what almost happened.

The flower woman watched the men carefully. Her hands gripped the counter as worry filled her chest.