Katie was strolling home from work in high spirits: her boss had let her off early the day before and hinted at a bonus. She bounced up the stairs to her flat, fumbled for the familiar intercom code, when a plaintive childs wail snagged her attention. What gloom on such a splendid day? she muttered, glancing around for the source. No one was in sight, so she reached for the front doorhandle, but the sobbing grew louder.
Where are you, little rascal? Katie snapped, halfexasperated.
Im here, whispered a tiny voice.
She slipped out onto the cobbled pavement and saw, perched on the curb, a fiveyearold boy shivering in a threadbare jacket, ragged trousers, and dirty sneakers. Tears smeared his cheeks, and his little face was a map of misery.
Whats your name, and why are you crying? she asked, trying to place him among the buildings tenants.
Im Charlie, the boy hiccuped, I just want to get home.
Do you live here? Katie probed, hunting for a relative among the flats.
I dont know. Ive lost my way, Charlie replied, his pronunciation oddly perfect.
Katie decided the lad needed warmth before she could sort out the logistics. She extended a hand. Come with me. Ill fix you a cuppa maybe?
Trusting, Charlie slipped into her palm and followed, his nose twitching as if sniffing for adventure. Katie didnt yet know what to do with him; a wave of motherly pity just washed over herfeed, clothe, protect, the usual.
Ive got some borscht. Want a spoonful? she offered as she stepped inside. Charlie nodded enthusiastically.
He ladled the broth with the delicacy of a seasoned soupdrinker, which reminded Katie of her spoiled niece, Lily, who never turned down a bite. She sighed: Charlie must have never tasted the kind of homecooked fare Lily gets every night.
It seemed no one was looking for the child. What now? she thought, just as her phone buzzed.
Hey, love, what are you up to? called Arthur, her boyfriend, from the other end of the line.
Feeding a little Charlie! she replied.
Charlie? Whos that?
The boy I found outside the block.
Why bring him inside?
Because hes freezing.
How old is he?
Not more than five.
Charlie, listening on the hallway wall, held up four fingers. Katie laughed, corrected herself. Actually, hes four.
Give the child back to his family, Arthur urged.
I dont know where they are.
Call the police.
The police? Seriously? Im not authorised to feed strangers. They have trained officers. Take him to them and then come see me.
Katie sighed, resigned. Alright, lets find your mum, Charlie.
They headed to the nearest police station, where the duty sergeanta young officer about Katies agegreeted them. She seemed fresher than the grizzled vets who patrolled the precinct, which gave Katie a sliver of hope.
The sergeant listened, logged the report, and told them to wait. A uniformed woman soon appeared, ushered them into a small office, and asked a few more questions. Youre free to go, she said.
And Charlie? the officer asked.
Charlie will stay with us for now. We need his statement, the sergeant replied, and the boy gave a bright nod. Relieved, Katie waved goodbye. Thanks, officer. See you later, Charlie.
She left the station and made her way to the café where Arthur was waiting, looking a touch annoyed at her tardiness. Youre late again, he muttered.
I left a sweet little lad at the police. Nice girl there, actually, Katie replied.
If youd dropped him off straight away we could have gone to the cinema, Arthur teased, but Katie shrugged it off. He was so vulnerableI couldnt just hand him over to a uniformed bloke. You know theyre not exactly known for their bedside manner.
Arthur waved his hand dismissively. Their evening continued, but Katie couldnt shake the image of the shivering boy. She kept wondering whether his family would ever be found, or if hed be better off somewhere else. Arthur didnt notice her preoccupation, and the night, though pleasant, ended with a lingering sour note.
Friday passed. On Monday, as she turned the key to her flat, Charlie was again perched on the landing.
Youre back, she said, surprised.
I came for you. Got any borscht? he asked.
No borscht, but Ive got something else. Pasta, perhaps?
Pasta! he cheered, clearly famished.
She fed him again, trying to coax any details about his parents. He finally opened up: the night before, his mother had visited the police to report his disappearance. Shed taken him home, scolded him severely, even gave him a spanking, and barred him from going outside. By morning shed left, leaving only his Uncle Samhis mothers husbandat home. Charlie feared Sam, so hed hidden, but Sam was snoring loudly. When the man finally dozed off, Charlie snuck out in his thin jacket and knocked on Katies door.
Katies heart ached. After eating, Charlie said solemnly, Ill go home, or mum will punish me again. She never hit me before I think Ill have to look for a new mum soon.
Alright, Katie said pensively, let me walk you home.
He agreed, and they reached his block. A woman stepped out, instantly addressing Charlie: Hey there! Havent seen you around the courtyard today. Skipping the walk?
My mum told me not to, he whispered.
Hungry?
No, Katie fed me.
Then hurry back before your mum notices.
Charlie bolted through the doorway, shouting, Bye, Katie! Katie turned to the woman.
Is his mother an alcoholic? she asked.
Worse, the woman sighed. Shes on the drug scene now. In a year she went from a pretty young thing to a ruined mess.
Cant leave a child with her! Katie protested.
Cant call social services; my conscience wont allow it. Vicky was a lovely girl, close to her mum. She died before Vicky gave birth to Charlie. Vickys husband split, then she fell in with that scumbag He ruined her life.
Charlies in danger. He cant stay there, Katie insisted.
The neighbour muttered something about feeding him when she could, but Vicky constantly yelled at him. Katie understood without a word why the neighbour hesitated to involve authorities. Still, she asked for a contact number.
She trudged home with a heavy foreboding. That evening Arthur called. Whats wrong? he asked hearing her weary voice.
Vicky confessed shed been looking after Charlie again.
You should have taken him to care, Arthur said.
I dont know what to do, she replied.
Dont get involved with that family, he warned. Why are you clinging to the boy?
I cant help it.
Kate, youre making a mistake, Arthur snapped.
She fell silent, imagining herself in a courtroom fighting for adoption. Its madness, she muttered to herself, yet the image of a happy Charlie in her home kept popping up.
Lets chat tomorrow, she told Arthur.
No, you alright? he asked.
Just a headache. Im off to bed, she lied, the first lie to her boyfriend.
She hung up, then called her sister Emma. They were close, and Katie always confided in her. After the usual pleasantries, Emma listened and said, I like your little Charlie, even from afar. You know I adore kids. Id love to meet him.
Hes brilliant! Katie agreed.
Do what feels right. He didnt appear by accident. How long have you been seeing Arthur? Emma asked.
Why does it matter? Katie replied.
Just saying hes been sucking up your time for two years now.
I think I dont want to talk to him any more, Katie admitted.
Maybe you just feel that way?
Who knows
The conversation left Katie brooding all night. Emma was rightno child should stay where he does. Katie decided to take a day off and speak again with Charlies neighbour. The next morning the neighbour called with dreadful news: Charlies in hospital with a concussion!
Katie learned Charlies mother hadnt returned home the previous day; the police were still searching for her. His stepdad, a drugaddicted wretch, had been demanding answers about his mothers whereabouts. Charlie couldnt escape him, but the neighbour heard his cries, alerted the police, and an ambulance whisked him away. The paramedics took him to the hospital.
I wont let this happen again, Katie vowed.
That evening she visited the ward, where the same young officer and a socialcare officer shed met at the station were on duty. They recognised her and filled her in. When she heard that Charlie would be taken from his mother, she asked if adoption was possible.
Adoption is a lengthy process, only viable if parental rights are removed, which isnt simple, the officer explained.
What about other routes? Katie pressed.
The care system can arrange alternatives, but its doable, he replied gently, his eyes softening.
The officers kindness caught the attention of his colleague, Sergeant Gera, who offered to escort Katie home.
Fancy a cup of tea? Katie blurted, surprising herself.
Gera accepted. Over tea he listened to her worries about Charlie and pledged his support. Hes a lovely ladsharp and sincere. Id take him myself if I could, he confessed, taking her number and promising updates.
The next morning, as Katie hurried to work, her phone rang. Hello, Katie. Weve located Victoria. She passed away last night from an overdose.
How do I tell Charlie? Katie stammered.
Dont rush. He hasnt asked about her yet. He seems to sense something, the voice advised.
Throughout all this, Arthur never called again. Finally, late that night, a message pinged: I hope you see I was right. If not, choose: me or your dirty streetkid! Katies blood boiled. She wanted to fire back, but Gera called again, Would you like to visit Charlie together today?
Absolutely, she replied, but only if were on a firstname basis. It feels odd otherwise.
She never responded to Arthur that night.
The frantic days with Charlie drew Katie and Gera closer, while Arthur waited, assuming she was merely being temperamental. A week later he rang, she answered, and with calm steadiness said, Id rather discuss this in person. We need to end things. I dont love you any more. Im sorry.
Arthur was stunned. Katie didnt wait for his reaction; she turned and walked out. He tried to call back, she dismissed it, and their twoyear romance ended.
A month later Katie secured legal custody of Charlie. Gera congratulated her. Thanks, I couldnt have done it without you.
Thanks to you! Im amazed you took on a drugaddicts son, Gera replied.
I just fell in love with Charlie the instant I met him, Katie admitted, blushing.
I love you too Gera stammered, then smiled.
Months later, urged by Charlie, Gera proposed. Hurrah! Weve got new mum and dad! We need a brother right now! he shouted joyfully.
A year after that, everything fell into place, and they all lived happily ever after.
