Read Alexander for Free Online Page B

out of here alone. He’d like to find the boy’s parents and tell them what could happen to a kid on the streets alone now days.
    “ I swear to you I’m not going to touch you or do anything to you. I just want to make sure you get on the bus all right.” Caroline came out into the dining area just then and Alex waved her over. “This is my friend Caroline. She owns this establishment. I don’t want this young man to leave here alone to catch the bus. Would you tell him I’m harmless? Please?”
    He wasn’t sure she thought he was serious until she looked at the kid. “You couldn’t ask for a better guy in your corner. Saved my butt the other day.” Caroline ruffled the kid’s head as she went by him.
    The kid looked torn. He kept looking at the man who had just walked out the door and back at Alex. He knew the moment the kid decided to let him come with him. But it was still undecided if he trusted him or not.
    “ I have to catch the bus on the corner. If I’m not there, the bus will know to call my mom.” Alex nodded, knowing the kid was lying to him, but thought it was very smart of him too. “Okay, but you do one thing that makes me think you’re as bad as the guy on the corner and I’ll…I’ll scream bloody murder.”
    Alex nodded again and stood. He’d remained seated until then because he was sure his size would have terrified the already scared kid. He left his computer on the table and moved to the other side. Caroline said she’d keep an eye on it for him.
    “ Geez, mister, you’re huge.” The kid backed up three steps and Alex was sure he was going to bolt. “I guess I should have looked harder before I sat down.”
    “ Maybe my size will keep the guy outside from bothering you if he thinks we’re together.” Alex grabbed his coat and looked out the door to see the guy on the other side of the street.
    “ I’m not dating you, you’re walking me to the bus stop. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.” The kid took a napkin off the holder on the table and wiped his area down, then he took the tray to the trash can and put his trash in, what little bit there was. He handed Lisa the tray with a smile. “That was very delicious. Thank you very much.” Lisa looked up at Alex with a stunned look on her face.
    Most of the kids they got in here were rude and obnoxious. The other day there had been a food fight and he had helped Caroline toss them out. One of the kids, some rich punk, told Alex that he’d be back with his lawyer. Alex took out his business card and told the kid to have him call him instead. He hadn’t been called nor had anyone showed up.
    The kid in front of him was a handsome boy. He was tall, but since Alex didn’t have a clue how old he was, he couldn’t say if he was tall for his age. His clothes were clean if not a bit worn. His coat was a little tight on him and Alex knew he’d be out of it before real winter hit. He had on gloves and a skull cap and both those looked a little big, but otherwise he was covered.
    His eyes were a startling shade of gray. Not really gray, Alex thought, but a slate color. His blond hair was long, just over his collar, and it curled slightly. His nose was a classic one, and the high cheekbones told of good breeding. Alex grinned when he thought of what the kid would say to that. He was sure it would be a lot.
    “ So,” Alex started when they were about halfway down the block, “you going to tell me your name? I told you mine.”
    “ No, sir. That could be your alias and you could be Attila the Hun for all I know, or at least related to him.” They were at the crosswalk when the kid looked up at him. “No offense, but my mom would flay my skin off me if she knew I was doing this. If I told you my name, I might as well just walk in front of the next car. It might be quicker.”
    Alex laughed. He liked this kid and wondered about his mother. She must be a hell of a woman to raise a smart-mouthed kid like him and still have a