"Will you please help me?" She asked quietly. Her sad smile tugged at my heart, and I wanted to do what I could.

"I can try. What do you need?" I guess I have the look of someone she could trust. She slipped her warm hand into mine and I looked around carefully. The sight of an old man holding hands with a young girl could put me in a very awkward position. This was the last year of the twentieth century and one had to be very careful of situations like this. I've always liked children, but most of them don't understand how the modern mind works and how this pose would likely raise suspicion in the minds of the do-gooders who had nothing better to do than seek the worst in any situation.

"I don't have any place to stay. Do you have a house or an appartment that I could come to and rest and clean up a little bit?"

"I do, but do you know what would happen to me if I did that and someone was to notify the athorities that an old man was dragging a young girl to his home for immoral purposes?"

"You wouldn't, though. I know you wouldn't treat me in that manner." She smiled in a winsome way.

"How do you know that I'm not the town pervert that lures little girls into his clutches by offering them candy bars?"

Her smile was trusting. "I just know, that's all."

"Well, alright then. My house is three blocks in that direction, in the middle of the block." I pointed behind where we were standing. "It's 1015 Maple Grove Avenue. You go there and just walk right in. The front door isn't locked and make yourself at home. I'll be there shortly."