“Ma’am… I’m sorry to bother you. I’m a veteran. We haven’t eaten since yesterday. I’m not asking for money—just a little food, if you have any extra.”
My first instinct was to keep walking—a parking lot at nightfall isn’t exactly reassuring. But something about him stopped me. Perhaps the way his trembling hand rested on his dog’s back, as if they were holding each other back from collapsing.
Without thinking, I said,
« Wait for me here. »
I quickly went back inside and bought a hot meal—chicken, potatoes, vegetables—as well as some dog food and a few bottles of water. The cashier gave me a knowing little smile.
« Someone out there is going to bless you for this, » she said.
When I handed the bags to the man, he looked at me as if he couldn’t believe they were for him.
« Madam… » Her voice broke. « You can’t know what this means. »
« Take good care of your companion, » I replied gently.
Her dog wagged its tail only once, almost timidly. I wished them good luck, then went home, little suspecting that I had just unleashed something much bigger.
A month passed, and that memory faded into the blur of work and motherhood. Then, one morning, my boss — Mr. Callahan, a perpetually irritable man in his sixties — walked briskly across the office to my desk.
« Nora. In my office. Right away. »
My stomach knotted.
« It’s about that veteran with the dog, » he said curtly, pushing a large envelope towards me.
Inside, there was an official letter from a veterans’ association congratulating me for helping one of their former soldiers. They even went so far as to recommend that he promote me.
Mr. Callahan’s eyes narrowed.
« This is a setup. A setup. You’re trying to manipulate me. »
« What? I didn’t ask for anything at all! »
« That’s enough, » he interrupted. « Pack your things. You’re fired. »
I went home trembling. That evening, after putting the children to bed, I reread the letter again and again. It was authentic. The organization really did exist.
The next morning, I called the number listed at the bottom of the page.
« We were expecting your call, » a woman named Brianna told me in a warm voice.
They suggested I come and see them.
When I arrived the next day, they explained everything to me.
See more on the next page
Advertisement
