As I strolled, my thoughts turned to Sophie and Jake. Sophie was nine and began to act as if she understood everything about the world. Jake, at six, continued to believe in magic.
I reached into my pocket to retrieve my headphones, but something across the street stopped me in my tracks. A man stood on the curb, hunched over a bag.
He appeared rough, with his shabby clothes and bushy beard, the type of man you’d avoid if you spotted him approaching you at night. But it was not what caused me to freeze.
It was money.
He was removing wads of cash from the bag and passing it to two lads no older than ten. The boys seemed perplexed but took the money and rushed away.
My intuition told me something was wrong, but I was not about to approach him. He may be dangerous. What if the money is stolen?
I reached for my phone, my hands trembling as I phoned.
“911, what’s your emergency?” a calm voice answered.
“Uh, hi. I’m… I’m near the gas station. There’s this guy across the street,” I said, keeping my eyes locked on him. “He’s handing out money to kids. Like, a lot of money. It doesn’t feel right.”
“Stay where you are. Officers are on their way,” the dispatcher said.
It wasn’t long before a police car drove up, lights flashing but no siren. They strolled over to me first.
The officers exchanged a short glance before crossing the street. I wanted to know what was going on, but I also felt that I shouldn’t be involved.
“Sir,” the male officer said as they approached. “Can we talk to you for a moment?”
He held the bag to his chest. “I’m not doing anything wrong,” he said, his voice harsh and gravelly.
“We just need to know where this money is coming from,” the female officer said, her tone softer.
“It’s my inheritance,” the man said, his voice cracking. “Got it years ago. Thought it’d fix everything, but it didn’t. Nothing does.”
“My wife… my kids,” he went on, rubbing a hand over his face. “They’re gone. Car acc:ide:nt. Took them both.” His voice broke, and he shook his head. “Now this money… it’s just a reminder of everything I lost. I don’t want it. It’s a curse.”
The officers shrugged and walked to their vehicle. As they drove away, I stood staring at the man. He was bent over, head falling low, cradling the bag as if it weighed a thousand pounds. I felt a twinge of remorse in my stomach.
“I’m sorry I called the cops on you. I just… I didn’t know what you were doing. It looked strange.”
I hesitated, unsure whether to go or say more. But something about the way he appeared — as if he had nothing to lose — compelled me to stay.
“I just… I was worried. For the kids, you know?”
He nodded. “I get it,” he repeated. Then, after a long pause, he added, “I live just down the street. Old house on the corner. Nobody else was there. Just me and the ghosts.”
As soon as he went around the corner, I noticed something on the sidewalk. My stomach fell as I saw it was a second bag of money, smaller than the first but still full of cash. He must have forgotten it.
I picked up the bag with shaky hands. “What are you doing, Amber?” I muttered to myself.
“Damn it,” I whispered. I tightened my grasp on the bag and began walking in the direction he had taken.
I forced myself to push open the rusted gate and approach the door. It was not locked, just slightly ajar.
“Hello?” I called, stepping inside.
“You left this.” I held out the bag.
“I knew you’d come back,” he said, his voice softer now. “And I know what you’re thinking. That money could change your life. It could help your kids. Do me a favor, will you? Take it. Use it for them. It’ll do more good with you than it ever did with me.”
“It’s what I want,” he said. “Please. Do this for your kids.”
I hesitated, then nodded. “At least let me thank you properly. Come and have dinner with us. It’s the least I can do.”
He appeared sh0cked, then hesitant, but after a lengthy pause, he accepted.
For the first time, I noticed a little, hesitant smile on his worn face.
Two years later, he is still present. He became the grandfather my children never had and the family we didn’t realize we needed. Together, we discovered healing and pleasure.
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