"Now Ralph. I want you to stay close to me." A tall, blonde woman dragged a five-year old child behind her. His hair matched hers, but he had his father's eyes. "People get crazy around this time of year." The woman used her slender figure to maneuver through the crowds of people. It was Christmas time, and everyone was bustling around trying to get their shopping done.
"Okay mom." Ralph said having a hard time keeping up with his mother. Every year he would get dragged along on their shopping trips and for a five-year old that was not fun. His nanny, Samantha, would come with so she could watch him.
"Ralph." His mother finally stopped. "You're going to go with Samantha for a little." She let go of his hand and walked into a nearby store.
The small, blonde boy wanted to cry. His mother was always busy with planning social events and keeping up her status as a naval officer's wife. He was about to protest when his nanny took hold of his hand. Her grip was a lot softer than his mother's and she actually got down to his level. "How about we go to the toy store?" She asked in a kind soft tone.
Ralph nodded and let Samantha lead him. Unlike his mother's pace, he could keep up with Samantha's with no trouble. She also wore simple clothes and her hair tied up in a high pony tail so Ralph was not afraid he would mess something up.
They walked in to the toy store and Samantha stopped. Ralph followed her action and stopped as well. She smiled down at him. "Don't you want to go play?" She asked.
"Are you sure I'm allowed?" Ralph asked worried he could get in trouble.
His nanny got down to his eye level rubbing his back. "I'm sure it is. Go." She gave him a light, encouraging push. "I'll be right here if you need me." Samantha said standing back up.
Ralph smiled and ran off to the toy trucks. There was already a boy about his age playing with the nearby train set. The boy had bright orange hair a freckles spattered over any skin that was exposed. When he looked to Ralph his bright blue eyes seemed to stare holes into him. This made the blonde nervous.
"Hey!" The red-head's outburst caused Ralph to jump. "Do you want to play with me. My mom had to run and do something." He said with an unusual amount of authority for a child.
Ralph started to play with the hem of his green button up shirt. "What are you playing?" He asked wary of the boy in front of him.
The boy held up the train. "The bad guy has a girl tied to the train tracks and a train is coming. The hero has to come and save her before the train gets her." The blue-eyed boy pointed to a doll that was on the train track. "You can play the hero, but you have to find him!" The boy said frantically. "Hurry before it's too late!"
Ralph panicked as if he were the one in danger. He ran to the nearest table that had an army man and grabbed him. Running back he saw his companion leading the train towards the doll. Ralph used the army man to push her off the track before the train touched her. Both boys' faces broke out with smiles. "She's safe!" Ralph exclaimed happily. "Can we save her from another train?" He asked smile still on his face.
The red-head nodded and picked up the doll. "How about she's in a plain and the bad guy's about to shoot her down?" He suggested and Ralph nodded.
"Who is the bad guy?" Ralph asked with childish curiosity.
His friend ginned and pulled out a pig from under the train set's stand. "Mr. Piggy. He plans to take over the world! My dad gave him to me last year." He put the pig in Ralph's face. He laughed and grabbed the pig.
"Ralph!" Samantha yelled. "It's time to go!" She said waving him over.
Ralph gave back the pig and looked down at his shoes. "I have to go." He said upset. "We can play next time right?"
The red-head nodded. "I promise to be here." He said not knowing if that were true or not. Ralph waved good-bye as he ran to his nanny. "Did you have fun playing with your little friend?" She asked taking hold of his hand.
"Uh-hu." He said looking up at her. "Can I have a train set for Christmas?" He asked.
"Sure Ralph." She gave him a warm smile.
"Promise?"
"Promise."