Drew was silent, processing the story. It sounded like a movie. Mobsters, corporate takeovers, betrayal. It was hard to believe this happened in real life.
— And your leg? — he asked. — How did you get hurt?
— I tried to run. I crawled. I tripped over a root and fell. It hurt like hell, but I kept going. Maybe a hundred yards. Then I just ran out of steam. — Arthur looked at his bandaged leg. — I thought that was it. I’d freeze. And then you showed up.
— You got lucky, — Drew muttered.
— Me? — Arthur smiled. — You’re the lucky one, kid. Not everyone gets to meet an angel in the woods.
Drew turned red and looked away.
— I’m no angel. I just… I couldn’t leave you.
— You could have, — Arthur shook his head. — Most people would have walked away. Too scared. Or didn’t want the trouble. But you helped. You hauled me here, fixed me up, fed me. That’s worth something.
Cassie crawled out from behind the stove and came closer. Arthur turned to her and smiled.
— Hey there, little one. What’s your name? — he asked softly.
— Cassie, — she said quietly, hiding behind Drew’s back.
— That’s a beautiful name, — Arthur nodded. — How old are you?
— Seven, — Cassie held up her fingers.
— A big girl, — Arthur smiled. — And smart, I can tell. Not every seven-year-old is this brave.
Cassie gave a shy smile and stepped out from behind her brother.
— Are you really a good man? — she asked.
— I try to be, — Arthur nodded seriously. — I don’t hurt kids. And I won’t hurt you or your brother. I promise.
Cassie came closer, looking at him.
— You have a nice suit, — she noted. — Like in the movies.
Arthur looked at his wrinkled, muddy suit and laughed.
— It was nice. Now it’s junk, — he said. — But that’s okay. I’m alive.
Drew stood up and added wood to the stove. The fire crackled. Warmth filled the room.
— Mr. Sterling, what are you going to do now? — he asked, returning to the table. — Are you going to the police?
— No. — Arthur waved his hands. — I can’t. It’s complicated. Mike has friends in high places. Half the city is in his pocket. I need time. To think. To decide my next move.
— Can you stay here? — Drew asked. — Until you figure it out?
Arthur looked at him with profound gratitude.
— Can I? I don’t want to be a burden. But I really have nowhere to go. Just a day or two. Until I get my strength back, — he said quietly.
— Of course you can, — Drew nodded. — I just have to ask my mom. She’ll be home any minute.
— Thank you. — Arthur reached across the table.
Drew shook his hand. The grip was firm and warm.
— Drew, I’m going to help your family, — Arthur said seriously, not letting go of his hand. — I promise. I have resources. You saved my life. I’ll pay that back.
— We don’t need anything, — Drew said, embarrassed, pulling his hand away. — I didn’t do it for money.
— I know, — Arthur nodded. — That’s exactly why I’m going to help. Because you didn’t ask. You didn’t demand. You just did the right thing. There aren’t many people like you left. You have to be looked after.
— We manage, — Drew shrugged. — Mom works. I help out. We get by.
— I see how you “get by.” — Arthur looked around the room. — You’re struggling. Barely any wood, barely any food. Your sister’s boots are falling apart. I see it all.
Drew bit his lip and looked away. He felt a sting of pride, but he knew Arthur was right.
— Sorry, — Arthur put a hand on his shoulder. — I didn’t mean to offend you. I just want to help. For real. I’ll get your mom a better job at the plant. I’ll get your sister new boots. I’ll help with your education. It’s the least I can do.
— Really? — Cassie jumped up. — You’ll get me boots? Red ones?
— Red, blue, whatever you want, — Arthur smiled at her.
Drew was silent, not knowing what to say. On one hand, his pride told him not to take charity. On the other, his mother was exhausted, Cassie was cold, and they needed the help.
— I’ll think about it, — he said finally. — We’ll talk when Mom gets home.
— Fair enough, — Arthur nodded. — I always pay my debts. Always. Remember that.
The clock struck nine. Drew jumped up and went to the window. Outside was pitch black, except for the dim streetlamp by the road. Five minutes later, he heard footsteps. The gate creaked. Heavy steps on the porch. The door opened. Elena walked in, bundled in her parka and scarf, her old work bag over her shoulder. Her face was drawn, exhausted.
— Mom! — Cassie ran to her.
Elena hugged her daughter and kissed her. Then she looked up and scanned the room. She saw Drew by the window. Then she saw the man at the table. She froze. Her bag slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a thud. Elena slowly walked closer, staring at the stranger’s face. She went pale. She grabbed the back of a chair to steady herself.
— Mr. Sterling… — she whispered, barely audible. — Is that you?
Arthur stood up, limping slightly. He nodded.
— Good evening, Elena, — he said quietly.
— Mom, you know him? — Drew stepped forward and took his mother’s hand.
Elena slowly sat down on the bench, her eyes fixed on Arthur.
— He’s… he’s the CEO of the company where I work. — She exhaled. — Arthur Sterling.
— What? — Drew froze. — He said he had a company, but I didn’t think…
Elena looked at Arthur, then at her son, then back at Arthur. She was bewildered. Her hands were shaking, and she clenched them into fists.
— What are you doing here? — she asked hoarsely. — What happened?
Arthur sat back down, heavily.
— It’s a long story, Elena, — he said tiredly. — Your son saved me. Found me in the woods. Brought me here. Fixed me up.
— In the woods?
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