a poor black boy accidentally comes across an old homeless man rumaging through a trash can for food weak and
suffering from memory loss instead of walking away he decides to help offering him a meal and bringing him home his
family welcomes the old man with kindness giving him food and a place to sleep in return the man helps the boy by
working unpaid at the small Diner where the boy has a job what the boy doesn’t realize is that the man he rescued isn’t
just some helpless old man he’s someone who will change his family’s life forever the evening air was crisp carrying the
faint scent of grilled food and fresh bread from the local bakeries lining the street the neon sign of Manny’s Diner
buzzed softly above Ethan Parker’s head as he pushed open the back door stepping into the dimly lit Alleyway behind the
small restaurant his shift had just ended and his arms achd from hours of scrubbing tables refilling coffee cups
and carrying heavy trays of greasy food the day had been long like every other day and he still had to walk home to the
tiny apartment he shared with his mother as he dragged a heavy garbage bag toward the dumpster something caught his eye a
figure sat slumped near the Alley’s entrance half hidden in the shadows at first Ethan thought it was just another
pile of discarded blankets but then he saw movement a slow shivering huddle the
figure was an old man his shoulders hunched against the cold his thin bony hands fumbling through a torn plastic
bag filled with scraps his Gray beard was Tangled his clothes stained and ragged he looked fragile as if a strong
gust of wind might knock him over Ethan hesitated gripping the trash bag tighter
he had seen homeless people around town before lingering near bus stops or curled up on benches at the park but he
had never stopped to speak to one he knew better than to get involved his mother always said they couldn’t afford
to help others when they could barely keep their own electricity on still something about the old man made Ethan
pause maybe it was the way his fingers trembled as he picked up a stale crust of bread from the ground or the vacant
look in his pale blue eyes as if he wasn’t really there lost in a fog of confusion hey h sir Ethan’s voice came
out awkward uncertain the man didn’t react at first just kept staring at the piece of bread in his hand Ethan cleared
his throat and took a cautious Step Closer are you okay this time the man
looked up blinking as if he had just noticed Ethan standing there his expression was distant unfocused
like he was trying to place where he was then after a long silence he nodded slowly but said nothing Ethan glanced
back toward the diner he wasn’t supposed to take food without paying for it but he also knew that Manny the owner
wouldn’t notice if something went missing they threw out leftover food at the end of the night anyway hold on
Ethan muttered before turning and disappearing back inside the kitchen a few minutes later he returned with a
steam steing styrofoam container in his hands it wasn’t much just a leftover burger and some fries but it was hot and
it was more than the man had he crouched down and held it out here you should eat
the old man stared at the food for a long moment as if unsure whether it was real then with slow hesitant movements
he reached out and took it his fingers brushed against Ethan’s and for the first time Ethan realized how cold the
man’s hands were how frail thank you the man murmured his voice horse barely more than a whisper Ethan
nodded standing back up and stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets he should probably just leave his mom would be
waiting and she hated when he stayed out late but as he watched the old man take a careful bite of the burger chewing
slowly like someone who hadn’t eaten in days he found himself unable to walk away what’s your name he asked shifting
his weight from one foot to the other the man hesitated his brows furrowing as
if the question confused him he opened his mouth then closed it as if trying to find the answer somewhere deep in his
mind I I don’t remember he finally admitted looking down at the food in his lap I think Henry Ethan frowned you
think the old man Henry let out a weary sigh it comes and goes some days I know
things other days it’s like like waking up in a place I don’t recognize he touched his forehead fingers grazing a
faint scar hidden beneath his unkempt hair there was an accident I think I hit
my head after that I started getting lost Ethan swallowed hard he had heard
about people like this those who lost their memories from head trauma he had never met one before but it made sense
the way Henry seemed lost in his own mind the way he wandered without Direction it all added up you don’t have
anyone looking for you Ethan asked Henry shook his head but something about the
gesture felt uncertain as if he weren’t entirely sure of the answer himself Ethan exhaled rubbing a hand
over his face he wasn’t sure what he had expected when he stepped into this alley but it certainly wasn’t this a man with
no home no memory no idea where he belonged he should leave he should say
good night walk away and forget about Henry because it wasn’t his problem but as he turned toward the street ready to
to start the long walk home he heard the sound of rustling fabric he glanced back and saw Henry struggling to wrap the
thin blanket tighter around himself his fingers still shaking from the cold Ethan looked down at the bag of leftover
food in his hands the extra scraps he had taken from the diner he sighed come
with me he said Henry blinked up at him confused what Ethan shifted
uncomfortably I mean my mom won’t mind if you crash on the couch for the night it’s not much but it’s warm and you
won’t have to sleep out here for a long time Henry just stared at him as if
trying to decide whether he could trust this strange boy who had suddenly appeared in his life then slowly he
nodded Ethan turned and started walking and this time Henry followed Ethan led
the way down the quiet dimly lit streets his hands buried deep in the pockets of his worn out jacket the night air was
colder than he had expected a sharp contrast to the lingering warmth of the diner’s kitchen behind him Henry
followed in slow uncertain steps his frail body hunched forward as if the weight of the world rested on his thin
shoulders the only sounds were the rhythmic scuffing of Ethan’s sneakers against the pavement and the occasional
sniffle from Henry who shivered under his tattered coat Ethan glanced back now
and then checking to make sure the old man was still behind him it was strange just an hour ago Henry had been nothing
more than another forgotten soul the city Shadows now Ethan felt responsible for him as if leading him home was the
only right thing to do he wasn’t sure how his mom would react though she had always been kind but kindness didn’t pay
the rent they barely had enough for themselves and now he was bringing home a stranger with no name no past and no
future by the time they reached the small rundown apartment complex Ethan
could already see the Warm Glow of the kitchen light spilling through the thin curtains of their living room window he
hesitated at the front door his fingers tightening around the door knob maybe this was a bad idea maybe his mom would
tell Henry to leave and then Ethan would have to send him back out into the cold pretending it didn’t make his stomach
twist taking a deep breath he pushed the door open the scent of canned soup and
stale bread filled the air a humble but familiar Comfort his mother Sarah Parker
stood at the kitchen counter her back turned as she stirred a pot on the stove her Auburn ha was tied in a loose
ponytail and exhaustion was evident in the way her shoulders slumped she worked long hours as a cleaner and still came
home to cook for them every night she turned at the sound of the door creaking open her brown eyes immediately
narrowing when she saw Ethan standing there with an unfamiliar man beside him for a brief moment there was only
silence then she wiped her hands on a dish towel and stepped forward her expression
unreadable Ethan she said slowly her gaze shifting from her son to the frail man behind him who is this Ethan shifted
uncomfortably feeling the weight of her question settle heavily on his shoulders he didn’t know how to explain it how do
you tell someone that you found a lost man digging through the trash and decided to bring him home like a stray
dog his name’s Henry Ethan said finally his voice quieter than he had intended
he he doesn’t have anywhere to go Sarah studied Henry taking in his sunken
cheeks the way his hands trembled slightly even though they were inside now her lips pressed together not in
anger but in deep thought she had always been good at reading people and what she saw in Henry must have been enough
because after a long moment she simply sighed I made extra soup she said
turning back toward the kitchen come in sit down Ethan let out a breath he
hadn’t realized he was holding he gestured for Henry to follow and the old man stepped inside hesitantly as if
afraid the invitation might be re voked at any second he sat carefully at the small wobbly dining table while Sarah
ladled soup into a bowl and set it in front of him Henry stared at it for a long time as if the simple Act of
someone giving him food was something foreign something he hadn’t experienced in a long while then slowly he picked up
the spoon and took a cautious sip his eyes fluttered closed for a moment a
quiet sigh escaping his lips and for the first time that night Ethan saw something other than confusion in the
old man’s expression he saw relief Sarah pulled out a chair across from him her
sharp gaze softening just a little do you have family she asked Henry
hesitated lowering the spoon back into the bowl his eyes darted to Ethan then
back to Sarah as if searching for an answer that refused to come I don’t know
he admitted his voice barely above a whisper Sarah frowned but didn’t press
she simply ly nodded and reached for the bread on the counter breaking off a piece and placing it next to his soup
you can stay here tonight she said not unkindly we don’t have much but at least it’s warm Henry’s lips parted slightly
his brows knitting together in an expression that Ethan couldn’t quite Place gratitude shock maybe both he
nodded stiffly and returned his Focus to the meal in front of him eating slowly savoring every bite as if it might be
his last Ethan watched his mind still trying to process everything he had
expected his mother to argue to tell him that they couldn’t afford to take in another mouth to feed but she had looked
at Henry and made the same decision Ethan had in the alleyway that this was simply the right thing to do later that
night Ethan lay awake on the couch staring at the ceiling as the dim glow of the street lights cast shifting
Shadows across the room Henry was curled up under an old blanket in the corner breathing softly the exhaustion of the
day finally overtaking him his presence in their home felt strange but not unwelcome like a missing puzzle piece
that had suddenly appeared even if they didn’t know where it fit yet Ethan closed his eyes trying to ignore the
gnawing feeling in his chest the feeling that somehow bringing Henry home was going to change everything the morning
air was crisp carrying the faint scent of damp pavement and the distant Aroma of fresh coffee from a cafe down the
street Ethan pulled his jacket tighter around and himself as he stepped out of the apartment his backpack slung over
one shoulder the other weighed Down By The Familiar burden of another long day ahead the sun had barely risen casting a
muted glow over the quiet streets and most of the neighborhood was still asleep behind him Henry shuffled through
the doorway his thin hands clutching the front of his oversized coat his movements were hesitant as if he wasn’t
sure if he was supposed to follow or stay behind but when Ethan glanced back at him and gave a small nod the old man
stepped fully outside pulling the door shut with a quiet click Sarah had left early for work and there was no one else
at home no warm space to linger in so Henry followed Ethan just as he had the
night before Ethan wasn’t sure how long Henry planned to stay or if he even had
a plan at all the old man didn’t seem like he belonged anywhere like he had been drifting so long that the idea of
staying put felt forign to him but something about the way he moved now more alert than the night before more
present told Ethan that at least for today Henry had chosen to follow him
they walked in silence for a while the rhythmic sound of their footsteps the only noise between them Ethan could feel
Henry’s presence just a step behind him lingering but never intruding like a ghost Tethered to his path he wondered
if this was what Henry had been doing for months just following people hoping someone would lead him home even if he
no longer knew where that was when they reached Manny’s Diner Ethan hesitated at
the door he hadn’t exactly thought this through he was used to walking in slipping on his apron and getting to
work but now with Henry beside him everything felt different was Manny
going to be okay with this was he even allowed to bring someone in like this the last thing Ethan needed was to lose
his job over something that wasn’t even his problem to begin with he turned to Henry rubbing the back of his neck you
uh you can wait outside if you want I’ll bring you something to eat when I get a break Henry didn’t respond right away
his pale blue eyes flickered toward the diner Windows catching glimpses of customers already sitting inside the
glow of warm light spilling onto the sidewalk he shifted on his feet pressing his hands deeper into his coat Pockets I
can help Henry said suddenly his voice quiet but firm Ethan
frowned what Henry straightened slightly though the weight of his worn out body
still made him look small I can help he repeated I used to work I I think I did
I don’t remember what but I know I did something he looked toward the diner again something flickering in his
expression determination maybe or just the simple desire to belong somewhere even for a little while I don’t want to
just sit out here Ethan wasn’t sure what to say the idea of Henry working even in
small ways felt odd the man barely seemed strong enough to stand for long periods let alone carry trays or wipe
down tables but at the same time something about his words made sense he didn’t want to just be astray waiting
for scraps before Ethan could decide the door swung open and Manny the diner’s
owner stepped outside rubbing his hands together against the cold he was a stocky man in his 50s with graying hair
and a permanently tired expression he took one look at Henry then turned his gaze to Ethan his thick brows pulling
together you picking up Strays now Parker he asked his voice Gruff but not entirely
unkind Ethan tensed uh no I mean this is Henry he doesn’t really have anywhere to
go so I Manny held up a hand cutting him off he studied Henry for a moment his
eyes sharp but unreadable Henry to his credit didn’t look away he simply stood
there steady despite the way his fingers trembled slightly from the cold Manny
exhaled through his nose shaking his head damn bleeding hearts he muttered
then jerked his chin toward the diner come on in old man you can help clean tables just don’t break anything Henry
blinked his lips parting slightly as if he hadn’t expected that response Ethan was equally surprised his mouth hanging
open for a second before he caught himself wait really Manny grunted not
like I’m paying him I’ve had worse workers Henry nodded his hands tightening into weak fists at his sides
as if bracing himself for something unfamiliar yet desperately wanted he followed Manny inside without hesitation
and Ethan quickly trailed after them still processing what had just happened
inside the diner was already coming to life the scent of frying bacon and fresh coffee filled the air the low hum of
conversation blending with the occasional clatter of plates regular customers occupied the booths and the
sound of an old jukebox played softly from the corner it was a small simple place but to Henry it must have felt
like stepping into another world Manny tossed Ethan his apron and gestured toward Henry give him something easy to
do wipe down tables take out trash if he gets in the way he’s gone Ethan nodded
still caught somewhere between disbelief and relief he turned to Henry who was looking around the diner with a quiet
sort of awe for the first time since they had met he didn’t seem lost he had purpose even if it was just for today
come on Ethan said handing him a rag I’ll show you what to do Henry took it
without hesitation his grip was weak but there was something steady in his touch
and so for the first time in what felt like forever Henry Thompson had a job
the day passed in a strange almost surreal blur Ethan found himself
constantly glancing toward Henry half expecting the old man to collapse from exhaustion or forget where he was and
wander out the door but somehow Against All Odds Henry kept up he moved slowly
carefully wiping down tables with the same quiet Focus as someone handling fragile glass his fingers still trembled
his steps were still unsteady but he never once stopped he never once complained he did what he could and when
Ethan caught Manny watching from behind the counter the older man just grunted and muttered I’ve seen
worse at first customers barely noticed Henry to them he was just another worker
another faceless person busing tables in the background but as the hours passed people started to pay attention some
whispered some stared a few regulars those who came in every morning like clockwork recognized him hey one older
man in a plaid jacket murmured as Henry shuffled past his brow furrowed lips
pressing together like he was trying to solve a puzzle aren’t you Henry paused
mid-step turning to look at the man his face twitched slightly something like
recognition flickering through his clouded gaze but just as quickly it was gone he shook his head muttering a quiet
I don’t know the customer hesitated as if he wanted to say more but eventually
Let It Go turning back to his coffee Ethan saw it all happen he saw how Henry
tried to remember how something in him struggled just beneath the surface like a door locked tight from the inside the
realization settled in Ethan’s chest like a weight Henry wasn’t just some random homeless man he had been someone
once someone people had known someone who had mattered and then near the end
of Ethan’s shift it happened it started when Ethan was taking out the trash stepping into the alley behind the diner
the sun had already begun to dip casting Long Shadows across the pavement as he
dragged the garbage bags toward the dumpster his foot hit something he frowned looking down a flyer it was
slightly crumpled edges damp from where it had been caught in a puddle but the image printed on it was still clear a
black and white photo of a man Henry the text beneath it read missing Henry
Thompson last scene 3 months ago if found please contact Ethan’s breath
caught in his throat he snatched the flyer up his pulse hammering in his ears
as he scanned the address at the bottom it wasn’t some homeless shelter or government office it was an actual home
a real address Henry had a family his fingers tightened around the paper as he
turned shoving open the back door and stepping into the diner his heart beat loud in his ears Henry was still there
wiping down a table near the window Ethan barely noticed the customers the clinking of dishes the low hum of the
Jukebox he crossed the diner in a few hurried steps gripping the flyer so tightly as knuckles turned white Henry
he said his voice lower than he intended laced with urgency the old man looked up
blinking in surprise him Ethan hesitated suddenly unsure of how to say it he
could feel Manny watching from behind the counter customers glancing up from their meals but none of that mattered he
held out the flyer I found this outside Henry frowned his eyes shifting
toward the paper in Ethan’s hands for a moment he didn’t react then slowly he
reached for it his fingers brushing against the edges as he brought it closer to his face
and then a sharp intake of breath a Tremor passed through Henry’s entire
body his jaw clenched his fingers pressing into the paper so tightly it crinkled beneath his grip his eyes
widened and for the first time since Ethan had met him he looked fully awake I know this place Henry whispered his
voice shaking his free hand Rose to his Temple pressing hard like he was trying to force something back into place I
this is my h the entire Diner felt silent even Manny who usually had something snarky to say
just stood behind the counter his arms folded watching Ethan nodded slowly his
throat dry I think so henryk’s breathing was ragged his chest rising and falling
unevenly he looked back at the flyer his thumb running over the printed address his lips moving like he was trying to
form words but couldn’t then his head jerked up eyes locking on to Ethan’s
we have to go he said his voice was firm desperate carrying more strength than
Ethan had ever heard from him take me there now Ethan barely had time to
process before Henry moved pushing away from the table stepping toward the door with a sense of purpose that hadn’t been
there before Ethan swallowed glancing once at Manny half expecting the man to
tell him to get back to work but instead Manny just waved a hand his voice Gruff
but not unkind Go kid take him home Ethan didn’t wait
he grabbed his jacket shoved open the door and followed Henry out into the street Ethan hurried to keep up as Henry
moved down the sidewalk gripping the missing person flyer like a Lifeline his Pace was unsteady his steps uneven but
there was something different in the way he walked now something with purpose something that hadn’t been there before
the dazed wandering man Ethan had met in the alley felt like a ghost compared to the Henry beside him now
he was awake and he was desperate to go home the address on the flyer was further than Ethan had expected too far
to walk without losing half the night so he made a split-second decision he grabbed henryk’s arm and steered him
toward the nearest bus stop Henry flinched at the sudden movement his body tensing but when he saw Ethan pulling
out a few crumpled bills from his pocket realization flickered in his eyes and he nodded in understanding the bus ride was
quiet but charged with some something unspoken Henry sat beside Ethan his
hands gripping the flyer so tightly it threatened to rip at the edges his fingers twitched against the paper his
lips moving slightly as if testing the name printed on it every so often he would glance out the window his breath
coming fast shallow Ethan could feel the war raging inside him the pieces of memory trying to force themselves back
together it was like watching someone chase a dream they had just woken from close enough to feel it but never quite
able to hold on to it when the bus finally pulled up to the stop near the address Henry shot to his feet before
the doors had even fully opened Ethan barely had time to follow as the old man stepped out onto the pavement his wide
eyes scanning the quiet Suburban Street the houses here were nothing like the cramped apartment Ethan lived in they
were big with neatly trimmed Lawns and driveways lined with expensive cars the neighborhood was peaceful the kind of
place where families sat down for dinner together and did have to worry about things like overdue rent or working
double shifts and then Henry froze his eyes
locked onto a house at the end of the block a large white two-story home with dark shutters and a porch light glowing
in the evening dim his breath hitched his entire body going rigid that’s it
Henry whispered his voice was so soft Ethan barely heard it then louder more
certain that’s my home before Ethan could react Henry moved stumbling
forward like a man who had just found the edge of a cliff but couldn’t stop himself from falling Ethan hesitated
only a second before following his heart pounded as Henry stepped up to the porch
his shaking hand hovering inches from the doorbell his fingers twitched curled into a weak fist then pressed the button
the chime rang out echoing through the quiet evening air for a moment nothing
happened the world held its breath then footsteps the door swung open and a man
stood there he was in his early 30s tall with sharp features and dark hair
slightly disheveled as if he had just run his hands through it his crisp dress shirt was wrinkled sleeves rolled up to
his elbows but it wasn’t his appearance that mattered it was his eyes because
the second he saw Henry standing there his entire expression shattered dad the word was barely a
breath horar and disbelieving Henry staggered back like the name had struck him his lips parted and for a
split second everything crashed into place William Ethan watched as a storm
of emotions passed over the younger man’s face shock relief disbelief then something deeper something raw William
took a step forward and Henry broke his legs buckled his breath hitched and suddenly he was falling but William
caught him the son caught his father before he could hit the ground arms wrapping around him holding him up
holding him together and then just like that Henry collapsed into him
sobbing it wasn’t a quiet kind of crying it was the kind that tore through a
person the kind that came from months maybe years of being lost alone forgotten Henry gripped William’s shirt
Knuckles white his entire body trembling as memories flooded back in and William
who had spent 3 months searching waiting hoping held on to him like he was afraid to let go again Ethan looked away
suddenly feeling like an intruder in a moment too private too sacred for him to witness his throat felt tight something
he couldn’t explain pressing hard against his chest he had thought finding Henry’s family would feel like an ending
like checking off the last step and a long exhausting task but now standing on this porch watching a father and son
break apart and piece themselves back together again it didn’t feel like an ending at all it felt like something
much bigger Henry pulled back just enough to look up at his son his breath still uneven his face lined with
exhaustion but lighter than Ethan had ever seen it ah he started then stopped shaking his head I don’t remember
everything William gripped his shoulders his expression firm but kind that’s okay
he said you’re home now and that was all that mattered Ethan stepped away from
the porch his feet moving before before his mind could fully process what had just happened behind him Henry and
William clung to each other father and son reunited after months of searching of waiting of not knowing it was
everything Ethan had hoped for everything he had wanted when he found that flyer yet now standing in the quiet
of the dimly lit Street he felt strangely out of place this wasn’t his moment to witness so he turned and
walked away he didn’t wait for thanks didn’t linger for EXP explanations the
weight that had settled in his chest over the past week the responsibility of Henry’s well-being the quiet worry that
the old man would never find his way back had lifted there was nothing left for Ethan to do Henry had his family now
and that was enough the walk home felt lighter than usual as if the burden he
had been carrying had vanished leaving behind nothing but the cool night air and the faint hum of distant traffic by
the time he reached the apartment the scent of something warm filled the space a simple meal nothing fancy but
comforting in its familiarity Sarah was standing at the stove stirring a pot of soup her tired
face softening when she turned and saw him you’re late she said but there was no real reprimand in her voice only
quiet curiosity then she frowned slightly noticing something missing where’s Henry Ethan smiled a rare
genuine kind of smile that even surprised him he dropped his bag onto theall worn out couch stretching his
sore arms he found his way home Sarah turned fully Now setting the spoon down
as she studied him the exhaustion that had weighed on Ethan for the past week the long shifts the worry the
uncertainty seemed to have faded there was something different in him something lighter her lips curved upward and she
nodded good that night for the first time in a long while dinner felt
different there was no stress hanging over them like an un wanted guest no uneasy silence filled with unspoken
worries they ate together and it wasn’t just eating it was enjoying even the dim
light in their small apartment seemed warmer somehow Ethan went to bed without the usual weight pressing on his chest
for once he let himself sleep without worrying about what tomorrow would bring the next day started just like any other
Ethan arrived at Manny’s Diner at his usual time slipping into his routine with practiced ease wiping down tables
taking orders refilling coffee cups the customers were the same the routine was the same everything should have felt
normal but it wasn’t because just as the morning Rush began to settle the door
chime jingled and when Ethan glanced up from behind the counter his breath caught in his throat standing in the
doorway looking nothing like the frail disoriented man from just days ago was Henry Thompson his clothes were clean a
neatly pressed button down replacing the tattered coat he had once clung to his hair now combed back revealed the faint
scar along his Temple a mark of the past he had struggled to remember and beside him standing tall in a fitted suit that
looked far too expensive for this tiny Diner was William for a moment Ethan didn’t move Henry was the first to react
his face broke into a warm relieved smile the kind that made the last few days feel worth it he stepped forward
before Ethan could even find his voice voice his hands reaching out not with hesitation but with
certainty and then to Ethan’s complete and utter shock Henry pulled him into a
hug Ethan stiffened at first he wasn’t used to this affection gratitude recognition but henryk’s grip was firm
genuine filled with something unspoken but deeply understood and slowly cautiously Ethan relaxed when Henry
pulled away there was a shine in his eyes something deep something real you saved me he said simply his voice steady
in a way it had never been before you didn’t have to but you did Ethan swallowed unsure of what to say so he
just Shrugged you followed me first Henry chuckled shaking his head that
might be true he admitted then stepping aside he gestured toward William who had been watching silently his sharp gaze
filled with something unreadable my son Henry said with quiet Pride as if the words themselves were a
miracle he wanted to meet you properly William extended a hand and when Ethan
shook it he felt the strength behind it not just physical but something deeper
something that carried meaning you didn’t just help my Father William said his voice calm controlled but genuine
you gave him back to me I don’t think there’s anything in the world that could repay that Ethan didn’t know how to
respond to something like that he wasn’t used to being thanked not like this but
William wasn’t finished we’d like to speak with your mother he continued glancing around the diner if she’s home
we’d love to visit Ethan blinked thrown off my mom Henry nodded if she raised
you to be this way then I think we owe her a thank you too Ethan hesitated
unsure of whether this was really happening but one look at Henry’s expression told him it was real so after
a moment he nodded the drive back home was quiet filled with an air of anticipation Ethan didn’t quite know how
to process when they reached his apartment he stepped inside first The Familiar scent of Home greeting him
Sarah was at the kitchen table sorting through unpaid bills her face creased with a kind of tiredness that never
fully went away she looked up when Ethan walked in but before she could speak Henry and William followed him inside
Sarah froze her eyes flicked between the well-dressed man and the familiar old one recognition Dawning in slow waves
she stood wiping her hands on her jeans her voice cautious you must be Henry
Henry smiled and you must be Sarah she looked at Ethan confusion flashing
across her face what’s going on Ethan opened his mouth but William stepped
forward first my name is William Thompson he said smoothly offering his hand your son saved my father’s life we
wanted to return the favor Sarah’s lips parted slightly surprise flickering
across her features she shook Williams hand her eyes narrowing slightly return the favor
William glanced around the apartment his sharp gaze taking in everything the chipped paint the stack of overdue
notices the faint flicker of the old kitchen light that would probably go out soon then his expression
softened my company has a few open positions he said casually I’d love to
offer you one something stable with Benefits Sarah’s eyes widened her
fingers tightening slightly at her sides I she looked at Ethan then back at
William as if trying to determine whether this was real William smiled and
as for Ethan we’d like to make sure he never has to worry about school again Ethan’s stomach dropped his mouth opened
slightly but no words came out Sarah’s hand covered her mouth emotion flickering in her eyes relief disbelief
gratitude all at once and just like that everything changed Henry squeezed
Ethan’s shoulder gently his voice warm you helped me find my way home he said
now it’s our turn to help you and this time Ethan let them join us to share
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