The Little Boy Who Had Hope and a Red Balloon

Chapter 4: Mistakes

Georgie had been sitting with Mathias for who knows how long. He did not mind, for even though Mathias did not speak much, he was still good company.

The stairwell was getting cold and Georgie knew the day was-a-wasting. As interesting as everything was to look at, he wanted to move on. Something held him in place though.

He did not want to leave Mathias there, with his open wound still bleeding. It was not gushing blood, but it was trickling out slowly. Georgie got to his feet and outstretched his hand to Mathias.

He looked skeptically at Georgie's hand, not knowing what the little boy was going to do next. Reluctantly, Mathias got to his feet.

"Let's go." Georgie said, pointing to the stairs. "No, I am too weak." Mathias replied, and as to prove his point he stumbled. He braced himself against the wall. "You can do it. I'll help." Georgie said holding his hand out.

Mathias grabbed it and held on to Georgie's hand tightly. He gave him a weak smile as they shuffled to the stairs. Georgie walked ahead slightly, so he could help Mathias down the stairs carefully.

One hand on the railing with it's peeling paint, and the other holding onto Mathias they made it to the 2nd floor. Red was still being held close to his side and Mathias being curious pointed to it and asked, "Why do you carry that, boy?"

They had stopped so Mathias could catch his breath. He stood, back leaving against the moldy wall pointing at Red. "It's where I keep my hope." Georgie replied. "Red helps me stay brave." Mathias stared at the boy, wondering what could have made a child his age say these things.

"Why do you have to be brave Georgie?" He asked. "My momma, she carries a bottle a lot. And sometimes she beats me." Georgie said, his head hanging low as he stood next to the railing. A single tear trickled down his plump cheeks. All he wanted from his mother was love. He was not yet old enough to understand that it was a daily life for many people to experience that every day.

Some sign she cared enough to not hurt him. "Oh child. Come here. Old Mathias will take care of ya." Mathias held out his arms.

Georgie ran into his arms being careful to not touch his wound. The tears fell freely down his face. His sobs echoed in the hallway, as Georgie held his face to Mathias's stomach. "There, there. It's all going to be okay little one." He said, patting Georgie's head. "Now why don't you continue leading me, wherever we were headed." Mathias said letting out a chuckle.

"Okay." Georgie said softly, looking to Mathias. "Hold my hand. You gotta be safe." He said, holding his right hand out. With Red leading the way, they headed down the stairs.

They were finally able to reach the first floor and were facing the exit door of the apartment building. "We're gonna get you help." Georgie said determinedly.

Mathias shook his head violently. "No. I have no money. How would we pay?" "With kindness!" Georgie replied with a toothy smile.

Mathias let out a loud guffaw as he wrenched the door open. "Oh Georgie, you are one amazing little boy." Georgie grinned up at him, the sun beating down on him creating a halo around his little blonde head.