The bright morning sun shone over the busy city sidewalk.
Eleanor walked quickly while holding her eight-year-old son Julian by the hand.
Julian wore a neat navy coat and clean leather shoes.
He looked just like any other child from a wealthy family.
Suddenly, Julian stopped walking and pulled his hand away from his mother.
He pointed toward the corner of a nearby coffee shop.
Julian: Mom! Why does he look just like me?!
Eleanor stopped and turned around to look at her young son.
She looked in the direction he was pointing and froze completely.
Sitting on the hard concrete pavement was a thin boy in torn clothes.
The poor boy was barefoot and looked very hungry.
His messy brown hair fell over his pale forehead.
When he lifted his head, his face was identical to Julian's face.
They had the exact same bright green eyes and nose shape.
Eleanor lowered her expensive sunglasses in utter disbelief.
Her hands began to shake as her face lost all its color.
Eleanor: Oh my god... how is this possible?
The boy on the ground shivered in the cold morning breeze.
He looked up at the wealthy woman and her son with wide eyes.
Leo: Please, ma'am... I haven't eaten anything since yesterday.
Eleanor grabbed Julian's arm roughly and pulled him back.
Eleanor: Julian, step back right now! Don't talk to him!
Julian: But Mom, look at his face! He is my twin!
Eleanor: He is not your twin! We are leaving immediately!
People walking by started to turn their heads to watch the drama unfold.
Eleanor opened her designer purse with trembling hands.
She pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and dropped it on the ground near the poor boy.
Eleanor: Take this money and leave this corner right now!
Leo: I don't want your money if you're going to be mean, lady.
Julian pulled away from his mother's tight grip.
He knelt down right next to the poor boy on the street.
Julian: My name is Julian. What is your name?
Leo: My name is Leo. I live with my uncle nearby.
Eleanor grabbed Julian by his coat collar and yanked him up off the ground.
Eleanor: Get up this instant, Julian! You are getting your clothes dirty!
Julian: Mom, why are you acting so scared?
Eleanor did not answer her son's question.
She dragged him toward her luxury black sedan parked nearby.
She forced him into the back seat and locked the doors quickly.
Leo watched the fancy car speed away down the busy avenue.
He held the single paper bill in his small, cold hand.
He wondered why that rich woman had looked so frightened of him.