Theo looked to both sides of the road like his parents had taught him. He was allowed to cross the street when there was no car in sight. This time however, it was pretty difficult for Theo to know when to cross the street. Cars went and came at an unsteady pace.
Frustrated, Theo let out a shriek. His parents would always be here to help him. They would hold his hand tight and wait for the correct moment to guide him across the street. Today though, they just couldn't be here for him. His father was a recognized business man, the type that wouldn't stop receiving calls, but somehow found enough time to make his 9 year old son happy. His mother had a flower shop right across their house; she would bring home every night fresh and colorful flowers that she would delicately set up in the middle of the dinner table. Teo's mother had left this morning to visit her sister, who lived a couple of hours from town; she had gotten really sick and lonely ever since her husband, (Teo's uncle) died. Teo was the who chose the flowers his mother would take as a gift to his aunt; Yellow lily's, his favorites.
Teo looked to both sides of the road once more. The traffic rush had ceased and the street was as vacant as the huge tv box he loved to play with at home. As soon as he took a step forward, a red car sped up by. His heart stopped and he stumbled backward. Taking heavy breaths, he looked at the car that had passed centimeters away from him. The rusty old car had slowed down to the point of almost stopping its motion. Its red paint was cracked in most places, and the dark tinted windows prevented anyone from seeing through them. Something on car however, caught Teo's attention. The trunk's cap had bulges, and a 12 was irregularly spray painted over it.
"Are you ok kiddo?" Teo heard a voice say behind him.
He looked back to see an old man extending his hand to him.
Teo hesitated before accepting it. His parents had also taught him not to talk to strangers.
The old man helped him stand up and proceeded to pat him in the back.
"That car almost ran you over! Heavens!" the man said, a worried look on his face.
Teo nodded.
The old man looked at the red car, which was nos parked across the street.
"I can't believe people drive like this nowadays, come on," the old man said, extending his hand once again to Teo, "i'll help you cross the street and we'll go talk to him."
Teo looked at the old man and hesitated once more before accepting his hand.
Just like his parents had done before, the old man walked Teo across the street to the other side. Cautiously, they walked over to were the red car remain parked. As soon as they got close to the car however, whoever was inside accelerated, disappearing into the mass of cars that lay ahead.
"Heavens! That was weird!" the old man said, looking down over to Teo.
Theo looked up nervously and nodded once again.
"Thank you," Theo said before letting go of the old man's hand, "for helping me cross the road mister."
The old man smiled and nodded, "my name is Henry," he said.
"Mine's Theo," Theo answered, before continuing his way over to school.
Theo arrived two minutes before the bell rang. His teacher, Ms.Libby, shot him a strange look as she rushed inside the classroom and sat down in his labeled desk.
"Mr. Theo? It surprises me you're almost late!" Ms. Libby said. "You're always the first one to arrive!"
"I'm sorry miss," Theo responded, "I had trouble crossing the street."
