Fruit by Brian Francis Page B

my hair back and tell Mr. Hanlan that he shouldn’t pick the winner before the competition has even started.
    “It’s not fair to the other girls,” I say. Then I look over at the other contestants and see Daniela standing off to the side. She’s got her accordion strapped to her chest. She pretends like she’s practising her song, but really, she’s watching me out of the corner of her eye. Daniela is wearing her red La Mirage dress. She looks like a giant tomato.
    I tell Mr. Hanlan to get back to the judge’s table before someone notices.
    “It’s illegal for us to be talking like this,” I say.
    “Can I visit you in your dressing room after the show?” Mr. Hanlan asks me.
    “We’ll see,” I say. “I don’t have time to discuss this now. I have to practise my song.”
    I have the most beautiful voice and for the talent competition, I’ve chosen “Ave Maria.”
    “It’s written by one of my favourite Italian composers,” I tell the audience before the lights go down and the orchestra starts up. I can hear the people gasp as I begin to sing. My voice fills the auditorium. No one has ever heard anything more beautiful. I can’t see the audience but I know that most of them are crying by the time the song ends. That’s how my voice touches people. I get a standing ovation.
    When it comes time to pick the winner, all of the contestants are standing together and holding hands.We’re pretending to be best friends.
    “I hope you win,” I whisper to Daniela. She’s beside me and her hand is hot and clammy.
    “Fat chance,” Daniela says.
    When the announcer calls out “Vanessa!” I put my hand against my large breasts and pretend to look surprised. I even start to fake-cry.
    Mr. Hanlan comes onstage and puts a tiara and sash on me. Then he hands me a big bouquet of long stemmed roses.
    “Tonight you’re mine,” he says, which makes me nervous. He’s very determined.
    I walk down the runway, cradling the roses in my arm and waving. Everyone is on their feet, cheering. A reporter from the Observer takes my picture.
    “You’re front page tomorrow!” he yells.
    When I turn around and walk back to the stage, I see Daniela standing there with her accordion. I feel very bad for her, because even though she’s acting tough, I know the real Daniela better than that.
    “I know what I need to do,” I whisper to myself and take the microphone from the announcer.
    “I’m very touched by your kindness,” I tell everyone. “Your love means the world to me. But unfortunately, I cannot accept this crown.”
    I can hear people in the audience say things like, “What?” and “Did I hear that right?” Mr. Hanlan looks confused. The room gets very quiet.
    “Although I’m very flattered by your decision, there’s someone here tonight who deserves this crown more.” Ipause, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats. “That person doesn’t have it easy. She failed grade 6 . She wets the bed. Her mom makes her do all the housework and her dad has a blind eye. But she had the courage to enter this pageant, even though there was no way she’d ever win. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Daniela Bertoli.”
    I walk over to Daniela, place the crown on her head, and hand her the roses. Her whole body is shaking, she’s so nervous.
    “Go on,” I say. “Go meet your public.”
    And then it’s Daniela’s turn to walk down the runway. I stand back with the other contestants and applaud with everyone else, watching her wave to the crowd. I’m a little sad, but I’m glad that I was able to give Daniela this.
    “It’s more important for her to win this pageant than it is for me,” I think to myself. Besides, I already have too many crowns at home.
    Suddenly, a hand slips around my waist. “Your Christianity makes me want you even more,” Mr. Hanlan whispers behind me. His body is pressing against me. A chill runs down my spine. He won’t let me escape. There’s no choice but to give him what he