EPILOGUE: Coffee’s on the House
Inside was a Bronze Star medal.
“My grandfather got this for the day your father saved him,” he said. “He always said it belonged to Jimmy. He wanted you to have it.”
That afternoon, Chad apologized to me in front of the whole staff. He took Booth 4 off the “turnover” schedule for good. Every Veterans Day, it’s reserved now.
A small brass plaque sits on the table.
“Booth 4. Reserved for Cy and Jimmy. Coffee’s on the house.”
This Veterans Day, Corporal Lambert came back. He sat across from me in Booth 4.
I poured three coffees.
One for him. One for me.
And one for the two Marines who started it all.
THE END.
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Kindness to a stranger is sometimes kindness to someone you love, and you never even know it.
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Note: This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Names, characters, and details have been altered. Any resemblance is coincidental. The author and publisher disclaim accuracy, liability, and responsibility for interpretations or reliance. All images are for illustration purposes only.
