Bert woke up to the smell of fresh toast and eggs. Heading to the kitchen, Mary was already sipping her cup of tea.
"Good morning," she said cheerfully. Bert smiled as he sat down across from her. He poured some tea into his cup and took a sip.
"So,Mary, about yesterday. You never answered me." She ignored him and sipped her tea again as she looked at the morning paper. He took a bite of his toast and too a few bites of his eggs,then stood up.
"Well, whatever it is, it must not be that important. I have work to do. People are waiting to see what kind of pictures I can do today." He put on his coat and cap and walked to the door. As he slowly opened it,Mary spoke up.
"Be careful out there. And have a good day." He winked at her and tipped his hat.
Bert was doing his chalk drawings for an hour and only three men, one lady and two children came by and noticed his work. He composed an image that looked like a beach and another like a forest. Looking up for a split second, he noticed a small figure running towards him. He jumped up, dusted himself off quickly, and grabbed the boy by the arm. He was struggling to get took a good look at the boy when he was still for a second. He appeared to be about ten years old.
"Let go of me," he screamed.
"Not so fast, chap. Where do you think you are going?" Just then, he hid behind Bert as the constable appeared in front of them.
"Pardon me, Bert, but have you happened to have noticed a young boy running about? He has appeared to have stolen a few apples from the fruit stand over there." The constable pointed behind him as he noticed the boy behind Bert. The boy covered his face in fear. Bert bent down to the boy's level.
"The constable won't hurt you,son. Now, what is it that Bert here can do for you?"
"Well, he hasn't paid the fee for the apples. Now when I was a young boy-"
"Constable," Bert interrupted.
"I believe he forgot to pay for it. You see, I meant to give him the money for it,but completely forgot. Please forgive me." Bert held out some of the change from his hat that he earned from his drawings. The constable took it as he glanced at the two of them suspiciously.
"Very well. Just make sure that it doesn't happen again." He left the two alone. Bert turned to the boy who was gazing with admiration at the images on the pavement.
"You did these yourself?" Bert picked up his hat, putting the remained of the coins in his pocket.
"Yes, I did."
"Now, why aren't there any pictures of people?" Bert paused to think.
"Well,I guess I never thought of that."
The boy sat down and faced Bert.
"Draw me. I ain't got anywhere I'm heading." Bert nodded in reply as he knelt down. He looked up at the boy.
"Well, here it goes. Hope you like it..."
"John"
"Well,John, it is nice to meet you," Bert said as he extended his hand. The boy hesitated to put his hand out. Slowly and surely, he did. Bert smiled and then continued his work. An hour went by and his work eventually came to an end. He stood up,moving next to John.
"It's fantastic!" Just then, Bert noticed next to him that his hat,which he took off a while ago,was now filled with more coins than he had ever seen. He looked at the coins and then at the boy.
"Guess it's my lucky day." He gathered his chalk up and started to head back home. He noticed John was following behind the boy caught up to him, Bert was curious how much longer the boy would follow him.
"You heading home? It's almost dinner time after all." The boy frowned.
"I don't have a home." Bert began to realize that maybe what Mary was talking about to him had to do with this little boy. He couldn't turn him away. If something were to happen to him, he would never forgive himself. Bert put out his hand. The boy gave him a strange stare.
"Wanna come to my place for dinner? I can't say I am much of a cook but I will try. You can stay til you figure out what to do. What do you say?" The boy took Bert's hand and followed him home.