I nodded, then reached into my back pocket and pulled out a twenty I had from earlier, then stepped forward and handed it to him.
He took it with a raised brow, then I winked at the little boy, then looked at Bruce and said, “Please go get what he paid for.”
Bruce grumbled and then headed inside.
“Thank you,” the little boy said in a shaky voice.
I grinned then bent down, “Hi, I’m Cassie. What’s your name?”
His little voice shook, but he answered me, “Krispin.”
I winked, “It’s nice to meet you, Krispin.”
Just then, Bruce came out with stuff in a bag.
He handed it to me, then I peeked inside and smiled.
He added a few things.
Another candy bar, a pack of ham, and a pack of cheese.
Big softie.
I smiled at Krispin and handed him the bag.
He took it and then cuddled it to his little chest.
Then I asked, “Can you tell me where your parents are?”
He shook his head, “Don’t have any.”
And I felt my heart break.
And it broke even further when I noticed bruises on his little arms.
I swallowed my rage that anyone would put their hands on a child.
Then, when I got myself under control, I asked, “Can I tell you a secret?”
His little eyes widened then he nodded.
“I was in foster care for a few years,” I told him.
His little eyes got even wider, then he asked, “You were?”
I nodded.
Then I said, “How about I take you to where you’re staying and make a couple of calls. Would that be okay?”
At his nod, I held out my hand, and he took it.
I led him to my SUV, then I opened the back door.
I saw the way he was holding his bag, then I asked, “If it’s okay with you, I’ll take the bag, while you climb in, then I’ll hand it back. Okay?”
He bit his lip, eyed me up and down, then slowly he held the bag out to me.
I smiled as I took the bag.
