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Chapter 1

A late winter stor, andin the cafeteria of St Anthony of Padua Catholic School on Monroe Avenue in the northeast quadrant

“If you need a jolt before you eat, coffee’s in those urns over there,” I called to the cafeteria line

Fro counter, s and sausage, you come see me first Dry cereal, oatmeal, and toast at the end Fruit, too”

It was early, a quarter to seven, and we’d already seen twenty-five people coh the kitchen, hborhood Byin the hallithin fro

It was all randmother’s idea She’d hit the DC Lottery Powerball the year before, and wanted to ood fortune She’d partnered with the church to see the hot-breakfast program started

“Are there any doughnuts?” asked a little boy, who put er son, Ali

He was holding on to his ly thin wo at her neck

“No doughnuts today,” I said

“What aonna eat?” he complained

“Sos, bacon, and toast Not all that Cocoa Puffs sugar crap”

I nodded Mo, but she did know her nutrition