The Little Boy Who Had Hope and a Red Balloon

Chapter 5: Changes to be Made

A/N: Hey guys! This song is really good and I think y'all should check it out I'm sorry this story is so sadbut I want people to think. You guys should understand that we can't judge people. I know that's difficult and I am pretty damn guilty of it, but we have no idea of what people go through. I plan to have this book make a difference. Not only on you guys, but maybe I'll change too writing it. Okay happy reading!

Mathias let go of the door, while Georgie tugged at his arm. They walked into the warm sun's rays, and headed down the sidewalk. The local doctor's office was only a few blocks away. Walking along, they got some funny looks. However, Georgie brushed them off, as Mathias tried to follow suit.

"Look at that odd pairing." "What's the kid doing with a ball attached to his side?" "Why is that man bleeding?" Those were sentences that they heard as they walked. Georgie would just smile at them, because that is what you do. You prove people wrong. You show them that no matter what they go through, they are stronger than they think, braver than they believe, and wiser than they will ever know.

Mathias was lost in thought. He was stunned how one little, five year old boy could go through absolute hell and still be brave.

He admired the kid. "That child will go far in life, for he has seen the darkest parts of humanity and he still stands strong." Mathias muttered to himself.

Mathias had been through hell too. He had struggled with a cocaine addiction, which had left him with no job, no wife, no money, homeless, and shot on the street. Nevertheless, he was learning.

Mathias had seen the effect Georgie had on the people in the stairs. He brightened people's days with his cheeky smiles and that famous ball named Red.

They were still stumbling along, the three of them. Georgie had a smile on his face; it had not come off since he met Mathias. Mathias felt himself changing inside. He used to be a bitter man, who would do anything to get his needs fulfilled.

His addiction made him sacrifice his time with his beautiful wife. He gave up on her. His job as a janitor for one of the local high schools, had made him feel lonely and in need of something to fill that gaping hole. Mathias was not sure what it was that bothered him so much about the school.

It was like any other school, hallways filled with many teens of different ages, shapes, sizes, colors, etc. You had your fights in the hallways, freshman being picked on, and couples with their tongues down each other's throats, all that good stuff.

What Mathias saw every single day though, was kids like Georgie, who were optimistic and smart and had bright futures; they were the ones being tormented.

It reminded him of his childhood. He had always been the unpopular kid, what with his gangly limbs and the way he stuttered when he spoke.

He had been teased, and pushed into lockers, been called names that no one would ever wish upon another person.

Mathias was now able to understand why he took the turn he took. To quote Bob Marley, "Who are you to judge the life I live? I am not perfect and I don't have to be! Before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean."

Mathias believed that quote had true meaning that we can and are able to turn our lives a different direction. Maybe it would be easier if we weren't judged on every action we take, on every word that we speak out of our mouths, on every single thought we have every had the courage to speak aloud. Society is cruel, trying to mold us into perfect beings.

That's absolutely impossible. Perfection isn't something that could be defined, because no one has achieved it. Being a good person is something that one should take pride in. Surround yourself with these people, you'll be loved, you wouldn't be alone, and most importantly...you too might have a change of heart.

For instance, take Georgie. He is not yet six years old, but he treats almost every person with his utmost respect. And that is something to be admired. Mathias walked with Georgie, not caring what people thought. Sure he had a wound, sure he was walking with a child who had a balloon wrapped around his left wrist, but what did it matter?

The answer is, it doesn't matter at all. You be who you want to be. Because if you are unique, and true to the roots of your absolute being, then no one can take that away from you. And with that thought, Mathias smiled down at Georgie, who gladly returned it.