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All year, Joe had looked forward to a Halloween toffee apple with coconut and nuts because it was the only Halloween candy he loved. But because he was only seven years old, had short legs, and didn't have enough stamina to push his way through the crowd, he didn't get a Halloween toffee apple. And now on his way home, he tried very hard not to cry.
Joe kicked a stone so hard in anger that it hit one of the big trees in the park. When he saw the tree, he got an idea. If he could hang upside down on one of the big branches, maybe that could give him longer legs so that he would definitely get a Halloween toffee apple next year. After dropping his jacket on the ground, he started climbing the tree. If anyone asked him how many attempts it took him, he would not mention it took ten to climb the tree. When he sat on the branch, he thought for a moment how to hang upside down. While thinking, he remembered that he was scared of heights and in panic, he took around the tree's branch. Then he thought he heard someone call his name. Then he saw his best friend Nicky.
"Joe?" Nicky asked. "What are you doing up there? Have you forgotten that you hate heights?"
"No," Joe replied. He hoped he sounded braver than he was. "Maybe I'm doing what Malik is always telling me to do. Facing my fear."
Joe didn't want to tell Nicky about his plan to get longer legs.
"That's stupid," Nicky replied. "Listing to your big brother."
"Why?" Joe asked. "Don't you like Malik anymore? He took us to the cinema last week."
"Oh, I do like Malik; it's just that he doesn't always have the brightest ideas," Nicky replied. "Like that time he thought he could bounce from one trampoline to the next trampoline and forgot there was a fence between them."
"Ok, you might have a point," Joe replied. "Malik did end up with a broken leg."
Nicky placed his backpack on the ground.
"Let's get you down from the tree before you break your leg, too," Nicky said. "Can you climb down yourself?"
"No," Joe replied. "I'm scared, Nicky."
Joe started to cry.
"Don't cry, Joe," Nicky said. "Let me find someone who can help you."
"Don't leave me, Nicky," Joe begged. "I don't want to be alone."
"I'm not leaving you," Nicky replied. "I got my father's old mobile phone last week, so I'm going to call for help."
Nicky quickly made a call before he looked up at Joe again. Nicky wished he hadn't broken his arm because he wanted to climb the tree to hug Joe right now.
"Joe?" Nicky asked. "Help is on the way. Five minutes, and then you'll be on your way down."
Joe didn't reply. He so wished he hadn't climbed that tree.
"Joe?" Nicky asked. "I know you're scared, but I need you to talk with me. Tell me about all the snowmen you plan to build this winter. Was it one each day?"
Joe appreciated what Nicky was trying to do, but he was so scared that he couldn't talk. Suddenly, someone poked Joe on the shoulder, and he saw Malik.
"Hi, Kiddo," Malik said. "Is there room enough for one more?"
"I don't want to let go," Joe replied. "I'm afraid of falling down."
"I know that," Malik replied. "But you do trust me? Don't you?"
Joe nodded.
"Good," Malik said. "Now, I want you to sit up and keep looking at me. Can you do that?"
Joe nodded again. When Joe sat up, Nicky started biting his finger.
"I know it doesn't always look like it," Guido said as he placed a hand on Nicky's shoulder. "But Malik knows what he is doing."
Guido was Nicky's cousin. And it was thanks to Guido that Nicky met Joe last year when Guido took Nicky to his boyfriend Malik's flat in the hope that both boys would enjoy each other's company. Nicky found it impressive that Malik, at the age of 19, already had his own place in the hippest building in town. It turned out that Malik lived on one floor while his parents and Joe lived in the penthouse. Joe got a key for both places and told Nicky that he spent most of his afternoons at Malik's place, where he played Nintendo while he slept in his room in the penthouse. During the year Nicky and Joe had known each other, Joe had spent more time with Nicky than playing Nintendo. And Joe loved every second of it because Nicky didn't mind that Joe was a bit nerdy. In fact, it was Nicky who had given Joe the idea to draw all his superheroes - something Joe was very good at.
"I just want my friend down from there," Nicky replied. "I got something for him."
Up on the branch, Malik pulled himself up and took around Joe, who started to cry again.
"Joe?" Malik asked. "What are you doing here?"
"It's stupid," Joe replied. "So, can we not talk about it?"
"Nope," Malik replied. "Guido tells me I need to be better at listening to you all the time."
Joe looked at his big brother. Joe remembered very well the time before Malik started dating Guido two years ago. Back then, Malik found Joe irritating and had hardly time for a big brother who was twelve years younger than him. Now, Malik and Joe had a brother day each week, where they did things together, and Malik always watched Joe play football, never missing out on a match.
"I didn't get a Halloween toffee apple this year because I'm little and got small legs," Joe said. "And when I saw the tree, I thought hanging upside down would help. Then I remembered I hate heights."
Before Guido, Malik would have laughed over Joe's problems, but now Malik placed a hand on Joe's head.
"I can't help you with the heights," Malik said. "But I have been where you are today, Joe. I also had short legs at your age. Now that I think of it, I think my legs were shorter than yours."
"You're kidding me," Joe replied. "I don't believe that."
"Ask Mom. She knows all about it," Malik replied. "Anyway, I also hated being the small one until the summer I had a growth spurt. I was fourteen and went from small to big in no time."
Joe looked at Malik with a look that said he didn't believe him.
"Again, ask Mom," Malik said. "What I'm trying to say is it will also happen to you one day. And when that day comes, call me. I know the number of the right woman who can help you. And it doesn't involve heights or climbing trees."
"Ok," Joe replied. "Can I bring Nicky?"
"If he wants," Malik replied. "Now, what do you say we get down from here? I'll be in a lot of trouble with Guido for being late for date night again."
"It's really your own fault because you can't get out of the door in time," Joe replied. "Just ask Mom."
"Very funny," Malik replied. "This is how we do it. You climb unto my back and hold on while I do the rest."
Five minutes later, Malik and Joe were standing on the ground again. While Nicky was hugging Joe, Guido kissed Malik.
"Gross," Joe said. "I will never kiss anyone ever."
"In ten year's time, you'll change your mind about that," Malik replied while ruffling Joe's curls. "Nicky, make sure Joe doesn't climb any more trees today."
"Promise," Nicky replied. "Can Joe sleep at my place tonight?"
"Sure, have fun," Malik replied. "I'll call Mom and let her know."
Thirty minutes later, Joe and Nicky sat on the floor in Nicky's room.
"Promise me you won't do that again," Nicky said. "You made me really worry."
"I promise that from now on," Joe replied. "I'm staying on the ground forever."
"Glad to hear it," Nicky replied. "Was you climbing the tree the reason why you were late for our appointment?"
Joe felt so stupid. Because he had been so busy trying to get a Halloween toffee apple, he forgot all about Nicky.
"Sorry, Nicky," Joe replied. "I wanted a Halloween toffee apple so badly and didn't get one."
Joe told Nicky what had happened and why he climbed the tree.
"Please forgive me, Nicky," Joe begged. "I promise never to forget you again."
"You're forgiven," Nicky replied. "But if you had showed up as agreed, you would have gotten a Halloween toffee apple. Guido works at the place that makes them."
"I feel even more stupid now," Joe replied. "How can I make it up to you, Nicky?"
"Stop feeling stupid," Nicky replied. "We both know how your tummy can persuade you to do things."
Nicky stood up.
"That's true," Joe replied. "Where are you going?"
"Somewhere," Nicky replied. "Be back in a moment."
When Nicky returned, it was with two plates. Joe couldn't believe what was on the plate.
"You got Halloween toffee apples," Joe said. "How?"
"As I said before, Guido works at the place that makes them," Nicky replied. "He gave me two this morning."
"And that was why you wanted to eat burgers instead of standing in line," Joe replied. Nicky nodded. "I promise to listen more to you than my tummy in the future."
"I'll keep you that promise," Nicky replied. "Should we watch "Hocus Pocus" while eating our Halloween toffee apples?"
"Great plan," Joe replied. "See, I'm already listening to you."
They both laughed before Nicky found the DVD and put it on. While eating his Halloween toffee apple, Joe was really happy that Nicky was his best friend.