'A few more minutes, just a few more minutes.'
Wanda told herself as she held an absurd number of herbs and flowers in her arms.
She stood waiting outside another botany shop, while Grant looked inside because he "didn't feel comfortable bringing similar products into another person's business".
'He could at least be the one to wait outside, he did ask for MY help.'
"But, nooo. I guess that's too much for that miserable little..."
Grant stepped out of the store while looking at the receipt for his latest purchase.
"child over there!"
She said while turning to look at a little girl singing at a nearby corner.
"Hmm."
Grant said, looking up.
"Oh, I was just looking at that poor little girl over there."
She said while making sure to have her most pitiful and worrying face on.
"It's just such a shame that such a young girl has to do such a terrible thing to survive in this city."
Grant turned to look at the little girl with a torn dress.
"You mean singing?"
Wanda was taken aback by his response.
"N-no I meant... um... you know..."
She said while nervously trying to avoid eye contact with Grant by looking at the girl.
Grant gave her an odd stare.
"But there, literally, isn't anything to imply that's what she's doing."
'All you have to do is agree and it'll be over, just agree.'
"But isn't that what they do?"
'You had one job!'
Grant put away the receipt as he started to explain.
"Well yes, but actually no. Normally in that kind of business, there is a sort of tell to let people know without alerting any parties that may frown upon such practices."
Wanda stewed inside but didn't show it, instead she beamed and said fawningly.
"Wow, sir thank you for thinking about me during your explanation. I'll be sure to tell my grandseed about this day."
"Er, okay?"
Grant said as looked away.
'What a weirdo.'
For the first time, he focused his attention on the child.
'Wait a second. I know that kid!'
"Hold these for a moment."
He said while dropping his new purchases onto the pile she was carrying.
"Ack!"
As she struggled with the weight, Grant rushed off towards the child.
_________________________________________
"Thank you, kind sir."
The child said when the old man dropped a coin into her tin.
"No trouble at all, it's always better to help the less fortunate."
The child in the dress smiled cutely and asked.
"Any requests?"
The old man gave it some thought.
Suddenly he snapped his fingers.
"How about 'flying boy'. It was an old favorite of mine from when I was younger."
The child looked surprised.
"You were in the army?"
"Ya darn right, I met the boys there back in the day. I always think about them whenever I listen to the song."
He crouched down and gave a mock-serious face.
"Do ya think you can sing it for me?"
The child gave a nod.
"Okay."
The child took a deep breath and started to sing a slow, sad melody.
"Oh, sweet summer boy. Oh, sweet playing boy, living here at home.
Those summer fields he laid in as the sunlight shone.
That family that raised him loved him as their own.
Let all those near you, see you never alone.
Let all those near you, see you all at home.
Oh, sweet summer boy. Oh sweet fighting boy, fighting for your home.
Those summer fields he fought in, a bloody monotone.
That family loved him, cried out all alone.
Let all those near you, see you strong as stone.
Let all those near you, see you coming home.
Oh, sweet summer boy. Oh, sweet flying boy, flying far from home.
Those summer fields he laid in, he will never roam.
That enemy that tore him, through a long and metal moan.
Let all those near you, see you coming home.
Let all those near you..."
Grant rushed in through the side and kicked the singing child.
The crowd watched in shock as the child made an arc through the air, suspended for a moment before crashing into the side of a lampost.
*Clung!
Everyone winced at the sound as the child fell the remaining height onto the cobblestone foundation.
Grant struck a flamboyant pose and did jazz hands as he sang in a deep vibrato.
"See you flying hooooooooooome!"
...
...
...
The crowd didn't know how to react to the sheer insanity of what just happened.
They were so struck that they only processed it after Grant had already reached the child he had just kicked.
They watched in horror as Grant picked up the child's body with one arm and shook him like a ragdoll.
"Get up Trap. It's me."
The kid instantly came to life with an annoyed expression.
"Did you have to kick me so hard?"
"Maybe I wouldn't have to if you stopped scamming people!"
He yelled as he shook the kid harder.
Seeing what had happened, the old man stepped out of the very confused crowd.
"You know each other?"
Grant turned to face him.
"Technically, as I run the orphanage he lives in. I am so sorry, he has a history of scamming people."
Before the old man could even say a word, Grant tore off the dress to reveal the kid's actual clothes.
It was a black suit with a dark blue vest and matching handkerchief. They were very well made.
He walked away from the old man who was flapping his jaw in disbelief.
Without even turning back he called out.
"Come along Wanda; we have some information to get from a very angry woman."
Wanda snapped out of it and rushed to catch up without spilling any of her cargo.
Seeing them disappear around a corner, the crowd had one thought.
'What just happened?'