How will you celebrate christmas?

late christmas week rushing around trying last minute
shopping done. stressed out , not thinking fondly of season
right then. dark, cold , wet in parking lot started
loading car gifts felt obligated buy. noticed
missing receipt might need later. so, mumbling under breath,
retraced steps mall entrance.

searching wet pavement lost receipt, heard quiet
sobbing. crying coming poorly dressed boy of 12 years
old. short , thin. had no coat. wearing ragged
flannel shirt protect him cold night's chill. oddly enough,
holding hundred dollar bill in hand.

thinking had gotten lost parents, asked him
wrong. told me sad story.

said came large family. had 3 brothers , 4
sisters. father had died when 9 years old. mother
poorly educated , worked 2 full time jobs. made little
support large family. nevertheless, had managed skimp , save
2 hundred dollars buy children christmas presents. young boy
had been dropped off mother on way second job.
use money buy presents siblings , save enough
take bus home. had not entered mall when boy grabbed 1
of hundred dollar bills , disappeared night.

"why didn't scream help?" asked.

boy said, "i did."

"and nobody came you?" queried.

boy stared @ sidewalk , sadly shook head.

"how loud did scream?" inquired.

soft-spoken boy looked , meekly whispered, "help me!"

realized absolutely no 1 hear poor boy cry help.

grabbed other hundred dollar bill , ran.

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