Lost

Lost

I looked at the small boy standing by the store. He’d been standing there when I went in, and he seemed a little too young to be on his own. I was reluctant to speak to him, being a stranger, but I’d been in the store for a good ten minutes, I couldn’t just walk away.

I went over slowly and stood near. Then casually asked quietly. “Are you lost?”

He didn’t move or even look up. Not being sure if he heard me, I tried again, “Are you lost? Because I could help you.”

I saw a flicker of his eyes, he heard me. “If you are lost, raise your hand slowly and then put it back down.” He raised his hand and lowered it.

“Have you accidently wandered away from your mother? Raise your hand again if yes.” He raised his hand again.

“Are you going to get in big trouble if she finds you?” He raised his hand again.

“What was she wearing?” I asked.

“A green coat,” he said quietly.

I looked around, suddenly seeing a woman in a green coat about three stores down with a stroller.

“Is she pushing a brown stroller?” I asked.

“Yes!” he said, excitedly.

“Walk that way quickly,” I pointed in her direction down the sidewalk. He scampered.

A few minutes later a woman in a green coat walked by pushing a brown stroller with a curly haired child in it, and a boy walking along side, holding onto the bar.

“My what a wonderful helper you have there!” I said to her, looking down at the boy.

“He’s a wonderful big brother!” she said smiling, and walked on, as my new friend smiled from ear to ear mouthing “Thank you!” at the same time.

Life is good.