Robbed

Everyone learns it the hard way

  »» Trust is a precious thing. It shouldn't be just thrown away for anyone to catch. I guess that's just where I got wrong. ««
-Rosalina Parks

»» Seventh street Avenue.
»» Approximately an hour after shop opening.

              Never in my life had I thought that people could be so heartless.

I picked up the child that was now on the ground sobbing quietly, all thanks to that old lady who just carelessly pushed past him to make way for herself.

I shushed the poor child as I went back inside my small flower shop, with him in my arms. I sat him down on the small counter as I opened the mini fridge and handed him a giant sized Cadbury, making him get rid of his sobbing self in just a mili second as he happily and greedily snatched the candy from my hands, murmured a small thanks and started munching on it hungrily. It made my insides melt to see him so happy.
             
 I took my time in examining the small creature; he was dirty, no, filthy would fit much better, wore rags and stunk terribly, fitting the description of a beggar perfectly.

He must've noticed my intense gaze on him as he looked up at me with a quizzical expression and asked, rather rudely indeed "What? Never seen a child beggar before, have ya miss?"

I was shocked to receive such bluntness from a child who just looked about 9-10 years of age.

Seeing that he was still waiting for an answer,I racked up my brain to find one, but failed and just settled on a stupid stammering sentence of "Wha- oh, I-I was, Wha-What's your name, kid?"

I felt rather stupid for acting like a total idiot in front of a kid, and he must've been thinking the same thing as he gave me a funny look and answered "Thommas, but me lads call me Sharpy." 
             
 "Um, Okay Thommas, if you'd like to spend a day with me at my little shop here, I'd be obliged." I said after a while politely as I went round the counter and sat on my old wooden chair, and began to sort out my money in the cash register that I had. He did a 360 degree turn when he heard the rustling of the money paper to face me, but I could sense his eyes on the money that I was counting. I looked up at him and he quickly faced my face and narrowed his eyes at me.

His sharp gaze made me stop my task as I looked at him weirdly.

"Okay." he said after a short staring contest, still not breaking eye contact.

"Okay? Okay what?" I asked confuse. "Okay, I'll stay with ya for today. But will ya pay me for wasting me day here with ya?" He explained.

Oh. 

Oh. 

I had already forgotten about that, taking his silence as a yes a long time ago. "Um, I will if you promise to help me out by handing the customers the flowers that they ask for." I said shrugging, lowering my head as I continued back my uncompleted task. "Deal, As long as I'm paid, I don't give a damn about it." He said carelessly, cursing too.
              
  Wow, I thought, at an age so young, he really did act like a grown up business fellow.

Maybe life's tough experiences must've made him into what he is today, taking away his innocence and childhood by replacing them with despair and rudeness. I didn't know why I was putting up with that brat ; but I just didn't want to be alone today, I don't know why.

Anyways, I sort of enjoyed his rude company.

My first customer of the day came. He asked for a bouquet of roses, the usual, and I turned towards the kid, expecting him to go and fetch it and start on the job that he was going to be paid for. He just huffed with a strong attitude as he went to the back and pulled out the demanded item and handed it to the buyer. The man smiled as he handed me the money and gave a small tip to Thommas, who looked really pleased at being given such an importance.

A few more hours passed by and honestly speaking, the went great, totally opposite to the opinions that I had made earlier. Thommas chatted to me once in a while, gave a small smile here and there, and his attitude dropped from hundred to thirty shortly. I was growing fond of this kid by the second, I must admit. A thought of keeping him here as an assistant also crossed my mind once, but I dismissed it, promising to think about it later.
             
   Suddenly, I remembered that I had to go and give back the loan I had taken a week ago from Mr Walker, who worked down the street in his small cafe.

''Hey kid!" I said. "Yeah, ya want something, miss?" "Um, yes. Actually, I have have to go somewhere, it'll only take a few minutes." He muttered something which made me pause for a second. I couldn't quite grasp onto the whole thing, but it was something like 'about time you leave.' and 'waiting for such long.' followed with a 'thank goodness,  the sooner ya go, the sooner I can leave.' I just dismissed them, thinking I had heard wrong.

"So, uh, would you mind taking over the shop for a while, just until I come back?" he looked thoughtful before saying. "Sure, It's a piece of cake. "Thanks! I'll be right back." With that, I took the required amount and made my way to the required destination.
          
     "Thanks again, Mr Walker. I owe you big time. Take care, bye." I said to the old man as I left the cafe. I was humming a tune as I opened my shops' door. Funny, Thommas was nowhere to be seen. I shrugged thinking he must have gone for a break or to meet with his friends and opened the cash register to see if I had earned something while being absent. When I pulled it open, the sight I saw was enough to make me scream out in sadness, disappointment and frustration. 

'Ya shouldn't trust people that easily, missy.'

Was written in a messy hand writting  on a dirty piece of paper that took the place of my money. It hurt me more when I saw who it was signed by.
 
'-Sharpy.'

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»Hope you enjoyed the story!
»Sincerely, your author,
»Javeria Jamshed.