And then, one Thursday, the boy didn’t come.
Jenny poured his glass of water anyway. She set a plate of pancakes on the table. But the booth stayed empty.
Online, someone posted a photo of the empty booth, mocking her kindness. “Rosie’s Diner feeds ghosts now.” The comments stung, accusing her of foolishness.
That night, Jenny opened a box of her father’s old belongings. He had been an Army medic. She reread a journal entry she had nearly memorized: Shared half a ration with a boy today. Risky, maybe. But hunger is hunger. No one becomes poor by sharing a loaf.
Her father’s words gave her strength. Kindness, she reminded herself, is never wasted — even if no one sees it.
Four Black SUVs
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