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The young man, around 13 years old, was dressed in shoes too big for his cold feet and a jacket passed on a few times too many. Freezing and confused, he looked around the place and spotted the vending machine. Standing in front of it, he took some coins out of his pockets, counted them, and made a sound that resembled disappointment.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n It was obvious he was lacking some coins for a meal, and Mr. Harrison, a retired teacher, wouldn\u2019t let a child go hungry for the day.\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, young man, come here,\u201d Mr. Harrison told the boy.\n\n\n\n The boy, however, hesitated to approach closer, as if he feared the elderly man would scold him, although he didn\u2019t do anything wrong. But Mr. Harrison insisted and the boy finally made a couple steps towards the elderly gentelman.\n\n\n\n \u201cSit here,\u201d Mr. Harrison said and pointed towards the empty chair.\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s you name young man,\u201d Mr. Harrison asked. \u201cI\u2019m Alex,\u201d the boy replied.\n\n\n\n Mr. Harrison waved at the waitress and asked her to bring some chicken soup and a turkey sandwich. \u201cIt\u2019s on me, Alex.\u201d\n\n\n\n But Alex seemed to be to proud to accept the food. \u201cNo, Mr., it\u2019s fine, I just came inside to warm myself a little bit\u2026\u201d \u201cAlex, you have your food and I could use some company.\u201d\n\n\n\n Among the bites, Alex shared that he was living with his mother who worked two jobs so he was alone most of the time. Things have been hard lately and his mom was forced to work long hours.\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know what, Alex,\u201d Mr. Harrison said, \u201cyou remind me of a former student of mine. He was as smart and as humble as you are, and he achieved a lot in life, I know the same thing awaits you one day.\u201d\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \u201cNo, no, Mr.,\u201d Alex said. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019m that smart,\u201d he said as he lowered his head down.\n\n\n\n \u201cYoung boy, I believe in you. You are always welcome here, don\u2019t forget that,\u201d Mr. Harrison said as Alex was getting ready to leave the diner and return to the cold world that awaited him outside the door.\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you, Mr.,\u201d Alex said, \u201cThis means a lot. I will make sure I replay you for your kindness one day,\u201d he said in a low voice.\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \u201cYou don\u2019t need to repay me, but one day, when you become successful, just pay it forwards,\u201d Mr. Harrison said with a smile on the face before he returned to his book.\n\n\n\n Seven years after this encounter, someone knocked on Mr. Harrison\u2019s door. During those years, the elderly man\u2019s health declined and he no longer visited the diner as often as before.\n\n\n\n \u201cMr. Harrison, do you remember me?\u201d the man asked.\n\n\n\n Mr. Harrison had a hard time recognizing the voice or the face. \u201cNot sure I know you, young man,\u201d he said. But then, when he approached a bit closer, he recognized the man\u2019s eyes. \u201cAlex, is that you?\u201d he asked excitedly.\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \u201cYes, that\u2019s me Mr. Harrison,\u201d Alex said. \u201cThe moment I met you at the diner, you not only gave me food, but you also taught me that I need to believe in my self.\u201d\n\n\n\n He continued, \u201cThat day, I promised myself I would change my life. I started studying really hard, got a scholarship, and graduated university.\u201d\n\n\n\n Mr. Harrison never thought that a single meal and a few words of encouragement could have such an impact to a boy of 13 years. But here they were seven years later, learning that the kindness we offer comes in full circles.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThey young boy took the seat.\n\n\n\n
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A well-dressed man in his 20s carrying a bag full of groceries was at the door.\n\n\n\n
