A warm encounter

(glass breaking)
“Huh who’s there?” Mr. Carter said picking his cane trying to get up to investigate that noise. He walks downstairs in steady steps to catch the trespasser. As he walks towards the kitchen, he sees the silhouette of a young boy going through the cabinet. Mr. carter walks towards the boy and lifts his cane to hit him.
“You thief” he shouts. The boy tries to run but Mr. Carter hits him on the leg with his cane. The boy losing his balance falls over when Mr. carter lifts his cane to hit him again.
“NO PLEASE DON’T HIT ME SIR, I WAS REALLY HUNGRY. I AM REALLY SORRY.”
His sudden confession took Mr. carter off guard. Humanity ran over his cold demeaner. He couldn’t tell if the boy was telling the truth. He looked over to the kitchen and saw an empty cornflake box lying on the floor. He felt a rush of sympathy as he looked at the boy’s thin figure.
“Please, I haven’t eaten in days” the boy pleaded.
“Get up” Mr. carter said in a kind tone. He gestured the boy to sit at the table and went towards the fridge and took out a few eggs. He cooked an omelette, made a toast and served them to the boy with a glass of milk. The boy immediately dug in and finished the entire meal in ten minutes.
“What’s your name?”
“Hira”
“Where are your parents Hira?”
Hira looked up with teary eyes and replied, “I don’t know sir, I have never met them. I have been living in a foster home ever since I can remember”
“Do they not take care of you?”
“I ran away. They made me do a lot of work and wouldn’t give me anything to eat if I wouldn’t complete them”
“And where do you live now?”
“Anywhere”
His replies made a chill run through Mr. carter’s spine. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It made him realise how cruel the world can be.
“Who are they sir?” Hira asked curiously pointing at a photograph hung on the wall. Mr. carter paused as sorrow filled his eyes. He took the frame off the wall and sat at the table.
“They are my family” he said pointing at the picture “This is my wife and this boy here is my son”
“Where are they sir?”
“They are” Mr. carter paused “They are not here anymore, I lost them in a car accident”
“I am sorry sir” Hira said as he got up bowed to Mr. carter “Thank you so much for feeding me. I will forever be indebted to you for this kindness”. Even though it was a simple meal, it was the first time Hira experienced the warmth of a home. Hira left that day but he left a lifelong impression on Mr. carter.
A few after Hira was found by the foster care facility they saw
Hira’s state and immediately called the foster parents. Hira was saved that day but he would still be in the system.
After Hira left Mr. carter was worried about him where would he go now, would he have a home, ever. He looked at the picture of his son and made a decision that would impact his life and Hira’s life.