The Boy and The Old Man

We were a happy family growing up. We went on family trips, explored new places, saw new things. Life was good for my parents and I. It was how a typical family was supposed to act, up until my parents got hooked on heroin on our trip to New York City, that's when everything fell apart. That's when my life became a mess. That's when a was abandoned

It was dark, the only source of light coming from the moon. The light lit up the alleyway just enough to see my surroundings. A humongous dumpster that dwarfed me in size. As I sat by it gazing out into the street, I see a busy street still lit up by streetlights and passing cars. It was then that I looked up to see an old man looking at me with concern. He paused for a brief moment before speaking

"Now what are you doing here little boy, you're quite out of place here."

This old man was wearing a full black suit with a black fedora. If anything this man was out of place being in the back of an alleyway. I could only mutter a few words from my small tattered body.

"I am alone…"

The man looked at me once again, with even more concern in his eyes and replied.

"Where are your parents"?

"They're gone, they left me, they don't want me"!

" What's your name, mine is Edward."

"My name…, My name is Yuta."

I saw Edward reach into his coat pocket, I feared the worst, I through my hands up to defend myself only to see that there was no need for a defense. Edward had pulled out a handkerchief from his suit pocket. He then proceeded to hand it to me.

Yuta is it, use this to clean yourself up a bit. Would you come with me, I can't leave such a small child here."

All I could think at that time was, why not. There couldn't be anything worse waiting for me. Besides this old man looks like he wouldn't hurt a fly. So I willing left the alleyway to start off on a new chapter of my life.

Edward and I walked down the street. Edward holding my hand tightly. It was late at night, so I turned and asked the time. It turns out I had been in the alley for more than 6 hours. It was about 5:30 - 6 in the afternoon when I was left there, and Edward said that it was about 11 at night. We walked for a few minutes before Edward stopped walking and turned and said to get in.

I turned to see a car with the passenger side door open. I proceeded to get into the car, the entrance to the passenger side closed gently. Than Edward opened the driver's side and got into the car. He looked to me with a smile and said you'll be okay now.

We drove for about 20 minutes in the city before we stopped again this time in front of a big tall building that shined, it was almost like the building was trying to scream luxury. Even when my parents and I traveled we never stayed in a place like this. The building's entrance was made of a beautiful marble floor. That's when another man approached the car from the doorway. Edward handed over the keys to the man. Entering the building I see nothing but a sea of gold, Chandeliers and pure white marble. I thought to myself they definitely didn't spare any expense building this place. It was then that Edward and I approached the front desk.

The woman behind the counter looked young and beautiful. The long streaks of brown hair falling from her head and deep blue eyes that could captivate even the most arrogant of men. She takes a quick glance at me before looking back at Edward.

" Ah, Mr. Edward's how are we this evening."

"Tonight was quite the night Ms. Nancy."

"I can see that it has been. Who is this young man."

"This is Yuta, I found him alone in the back of an alleyway. I couldn't just a child stay in such a place."

" Well young man you're in the best hands in all of the city, Mr. Edwards is the kindest man you'll ever meet."

When Nancy spoke, it was calming. It was also lovely to hear that Edward was indeed the person I thought of him to be. That's when Nancy spoke up again.

"Mr. Edwards, do you want an extra room for Mister Yuta."

"Aw, yes that should be fi--"

"No! There's no need. You've already been more than kind enough I will sleep on the floor, being out of the cold night air is good enough for me."

"Are you sure Yuta, it won't be a problem"?

"I am sure."

"Alright then. One room is fine, but you're not sleeping on the ground. Nancy, could you have some new sheets brought up to the room."

"It will be taken care of Mr. Edward, have a wonderful night."

"You as well Nancy."

We then began to walk away towards the elevator. When inside Edward reached his hand up to push the top floor button. When we arrived at the top and exited the elevator instead of seeing hundreds of doors on one floor, there was only three. I found it unusual until Edward opened up the door the farthest down the hall. Again I saw something that was like out of a movie, an enormous room that had was covered from head to toe in stuff that screamed I am expensive. I ran over to the window almost the minute we walked through the door to see that we could overlook nearly all of Central Park. After that Edward called my name in a manner in which I had become accustomed to already. It was a voice that could be explained as a caring parent to their child.

Edward had pulled out a seat for me and started to tap the seat signaling me to come over and sit. So I did. Edward peered at me and began the intense amount of questioning that I knew had to happen sooner or later. He asked me where a was from, where had my parents gone, how old was I. For every question he asked I responded truthfully like a faithful dog. Initially, I was from Japan, but I was actually born in the United States, so I was a citizen here. I told him my parents had told me to wait there in the alley for them, but I knew they weren't coming back I could hear they're raspy voices as they had turned the corner. Then I finished by telling him I was twelve years old and my birthday was October 24, 1970. I asked to go to bed, I was tired, and just all around destroyed by today's events.

I lie in bed staring at the high ceiling, wondering why? Why was it they throw me away like garbage? If I had to think back to all of it, I was always secluded I never had any friends. My parents had me homeschooled; the only person I could think of as a friend was my teacher. He was always a kind person, he always stayed after his lessons finished and played with me. Again all I can think is what will happen to me now. I am all alone, all I have now is Edward. As I lie in bed staring at the ceiling my mind finally lets me drift into a slumber.

What felt like only a few minutes turned out to be almost 12 hours in bed. I was awoken when Edward knocked on the bedroom door. The door slowly opened, and I hear Edward's voice saying he had made some breakfast for me. Even though it was already almost 12 in the afternoon.

I slid my way out of the bed feeling refreshed and better than ever. Until I remember the events of yesterday. Walking out of the room; Edward notices that I still have not changed out of the dirty clothes that I had been in the day before.

"You're still in those clothes, come with me we'll get you cleaned up."

We entered Edward's room which looked exactly like mine only a little bigger and had a walk-in closet and bathroom. Edward showed me to the bathroom door which had a full Jacuzzi tub in it and a walk in shower. Edward reentered the room with some clothes that looked about my size he told me to change into them when I was done cleaning up.

I got changed into the clothes and walked back to meet Edward. I ate my breakfast with Edward. After we finished, Edward looked at me and said we had some stuff we needed to take care of. I assumed he was just going to have me leave when I finally woke up. Then again, this is Edward we're talking about, in the short amount of time I've spent with him I feel that I've grown to know his kind character.

Edward and I left the building and now that it's bright out I got a good look at the car we drove in the night before. It was a black four-door car it looked costly. I couldn't help myself and asked Edward.

"What kind of car is this? It looks very expensive."

"That's because this is a special car. It's very expensive. Its called a Rolls Royce."

"Rolls Royce."

When we approached the car a man stepped out of the driver side. The man was young, probably in his very early 20's, short and spiky jet black hair, he was wearing a nice suit, but not at the quality of Edwards when we first met. He then proceeded to open the back passenger side door. Edward signaled to me to enter the car, so again I did. The man then walked around to the other side and opened the door for Edward who then slid in next to me. I leaned over to Edward and asked him.

"Who is he."

With a loud laugh, Edward replied.

"Ha, my gosh I forgot to introduce you to him. This is George, my driver."

"Your driver!

Edward began to chuckle to himself. I should have started wondering this last night, but it must be my head was too clouded. Just who is Edward, he lives in a fancy penthouse and has a driver that's not something that most people have. That's when George made eye contact with me thru the rearview mirror and began to talk to me.

"I've been Mr.Edwards driver for about 6 years now."

"Six years! Just how old are you.

Again Edward begins to laugh along with George.

"I am 24 just so you know" as he tries to hold back his laughter

As we drove, we talked about a wide range of things. I had completely forgotten to ask exactly where it was that we were going. That was when we pulled up to an orphanage.