Ten year old Toby pulled his worn coat tight around his thin shoulders as the freezing wind blew down the street. In his tired arms, he held his tiny two year old sister Lily who was shivering against his chest. The little girl had been crying for hours because her tummy was completely empty. They had walked miles through the busy downtown area, passing bright shop windows filled with hot food and sweet treats. Toby had spent his last few coins the day before buying a small loaf of dry bread, but now they had nothing left at all. His young heart heavy with worry, he kept moving because he knew he had to keep his baby sister alive.
Toby: Hold on tight Lily, I will find us something sweet very soon.
Lily rubbed her red nose against his shoulder, letting out a small whimper that broke Toby's heart into pieces.
Lily: Milk Toby, please I am so hungry.
Toby wiped his own tears with his torn sleeve and nodded bravely. They reached a quiet street lined with high end shops where wealthy people walked past in warm wool coats. That was when Toby smelled the delicious aroma of fresh bread and sweet cinnamon floating through the frosty morning air. He stopped in front of a shiny glass storefront with golden letters that read Vance Family Bakery. Inside, bright warm lights illuminated marble countertops and display cases stacked high with golden pastries, fresh cakes, and cold glass bottles of fresh milk.
Toby looked down at the remaining change inside his pocket, counting three dirty quarters and two copper pennies. He knew that a whole bottle of fresh milk in a fancy bakery like this probably cost far more than seventy-seven cents. However, he could see the big glass bottle sitting right on the counter near the front window, and Lily was crying harder now. Gathering all the courage left inside his small body, Toby pushed open the heavy glass door. A small bell chimed softly above his head, drawing instant attention to his muddy shoes and tattered hoodie.
The air inside was blissfully warm and smelled like honey and roasted coffee. Toby took three hesitant steps toward the main counter, keeping his arms tightly wrapped around Lily to protect her from the sudden warmth. The young clerk standing behind the register was wearing a crisp white apron and a polished name tag that read Marcus. Marcus looked down his sharp nose at the dirty boy and immediately frowned with deep disgust.
Marcus: Hey, kid! What do you think you are doing inside this bakery?
Toby swallowed hard, feeling his throat go dry as he squeezed his sister closer.
Toby: Good morning sir, my little sister is very hungry today.
Marcus: This is an expensive establishment, not a soup kitchen for street kids.
Toby stepped closer to the glass counter, holding up his small dirty palm with the few quarters inside.
Toby: Do you have any left over milk you can sell for less?
Marcus let out a cruel laugh and crossed his arms over his chest, looking around as if waiting for someone else to mock the poor boy with him. The tension in the room grew cold despite the warm oven heat, and Toby felt his last bit of hope slipping away as the clerk opened his mouth to shout.