The Unexpected Encounter
These minimalistic card displays were inspired by another artist who does photography. He was looking for an easy way to give the customers something to display the photos they ordered after realizing that they often never even framed them. Click here to see Scott’s store.
Once upon a time in a post-apocalyptic world…
The sun hung low in the sky, painting the streets of the city in warm hues of gold. Alex Riley was on his usual evening walk, the scent of raiders was nearby, motor oil mixed with campfire, lingering in the air. Just as he turned a corner, he spotted a small figure sitting against a graffiti-covered wall, alone and forlorn.
Curiosity piqued, Alex approached the child, a boy no older than eight, with tousled hair and a dirt-smudged face. The boy looked up with wide, anxious eyes, clutching a worn backpack tightly to his chest.
“What’s your name, kid?” Alex asked gently, kneeling down to the boy's level.
“Ethan,” the child replied, his voice barely a whisper. “I… I’m just waiting for someone.”
Alex's heart sank as he surveyed the empty street around them. “Do you have someone to take care of you?”
Ethan shook his head, his eyes filling with tears. “No. I lost them. They’re not coming back.”
Determined to help, Alex offered a warm smile. “Why don’t you come with me to my bakery? I can get you something to eat, and we can figure out what to do next.”
The boy hesitated at first, but the promise of food and a friendly presence was too enticing. “Okay,” he finally replied, getting to his feet.
As they ventured through the city, Alex made it an adventure—pointing out interesting sights and sharing little stories. They walked past the bustling market, where vendors shouted out their wares, and through a park where children played tag. Alex even joined in for a brief moment, making Ethan laugh for the first time, the sound lifting both their spirits.
When they arrived at the bakery, the bell above the door jingled merrily as they entered. The comforting aroma of cinnamon and rising dough enveloped them. Alex led Ethan to a cozy table by the window, where he handed the boy a plate of warm pastries. They shared idle chatter, the boy’s laughter ringing through the bakery, warming Alex’s heart.
After the feast, Ethan reached into his bag, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. “This is all I have left of my dad and sister,” he said softly, unfolding the photograph. In it, a smiling child held a balloon over a man who had a kind eyes and a woman with hair that danced in the breeze.
Alex’s heart ached as he looked at the photo, the joy captured in that moment a stark contrast to the sadness radiating from Ethan. “You know, this deserves a special place,” he said, picking up a small wooden block he used for bakery displays.
He expertly carved a groove into the block, just deep enough to hold the precious photograph securely. With a gentle touch, he set Ethan’s picture in the groove and handed it back. “Now it can stand tall and remind you of the love you carry with you.”
Ethan’s eyes sparkled with wonder as he took the block. He placed it on the table and gazed at it in silence, his frown softening. For a moment, it was just the two of them, lost in the shared warmth of the bakery and the small memory of a family.
“Thank you, Alex,” Ethan finally whispered, a smile breaking through the remnants of sadness.
“No need to thank me, buddy,” Alex replied, feeling a swell of pride. “You’re not alone anymore. We’ll figure this out together.”
And in that small bakery, amid the scent of cinnamon and the warmth of kindness, both their lives changed in ways neither could yet understand, but would always cherish.
