He had arrived home, a dirty and neglected home, where the absence of a mother was more than evident, the lights were off, and his father seemed to be again alcoholic with half of his body resting on the table, Jian felt sorry for his father, and after laying Hao on the old and dirty mattress, he returned to the table to make sure that his father was still breathing.
He approached him fearfully, for whenever he managed to disturb him, he always beat him hard, with his trembling hand, he extended his index finger and placed it near his father's nostrils to check that he could still feel his breath.
He smiled as he felt relief as he felt the air going in and out of his nose, and very carefully, he covered him with a blanket, even if his father beat him, Jian still loved his father.
Knowing Hao asleep, he knew it would be very difficult to wake him up, so that night with an empty stomach, he approached the bed and took refuge near his little brother, wrapped him in his arms seeking his warmth, and closed his eyes to sleep deeply, hoping to dream of good things, full of abundance, a full table and a family... above all that, a family, the one he never managed to have.
December 25
The morning had arrived and with winter, small snowflakes fell on the asphalt and many others remained on the bare branches of the trees, Hao barely covered with a torn and worn coat looked through the window of a store, his little hands resting on the glass and his lips open with the impression, with big and bright eyes he looked with illusion at the car tracks in that window, a train that surrounded the Christmas tree carrying Christmas music that could be heard from inside the store, made him move his head rhythmically from one side to the other, he was happy, even though he lived in poverty, even though he knew that for them, those things did not exist, Hao felt happy. He watched the families loaded with big bags and inside them, toys, lots of toys; something that neither he nor his brother could afford... even though they had been working since long before dawn.
He was mesmerized by the Christmas lights twinkling around the Christmas tree, they were so beautiful, it was impossible not to smile.
Suddenly a hand on his shoulder attracted his attention, Hao turned to his back, it was his brother, who had returned from the junkyard business.
-What do you think?" Jiang questioned animatedly, lifting a plastic bag and waving it in front of him.
-You got it," Hao shouted happily.
-And not only that... - He lifted up another bag, inside were two pairs of shoes, although the man was humble too, he had asked his wife to look for two pairs of his children's old shoes to give to some needy children, the woman had cleaned and washed them carefully, so that they looked presentable, so when Hao's innocent eyes saw them, he jumped with pleasure, and wasting no time, he took the plastic bag and changed his shoes.
His eyes widened with glee as he noticed that he was able to wiggle his little toes inside.
"Jiang! My toes can move from the inside!"
Jiang smiled, he genuinely did, his brother really was so innocent, so no matter what happened, in that instant he had promised himself that he would do anything to keep his little brother's smile.
Jiang had collected so much scrap metal over several months and had been able to sell it so he could have dinner that night. Barely a few pieces of sweet bread and some milk, Hao hugged him as tightly as he could with his new pair of shoes, his brother smiled and gently pushed him away.
"You're choking me!...let's go home Hao!"