A MUST READ – “Good morning,” a woman said as she approached the man on the ground.

The man gently raised his head.

This was plainly a woman who appreciated the finer things in life. Her coat was brand new. She appeared to have never skipped a meal in her life.

His first reaction was that she was trying to make fun of him as so many others had. He growled, “Leave me alone.”

The woman continued to stand, much to his surprise.

Her pearly white teeth gleamed in brilliant rows as she smiled. She said, “Are you hungry?”

He replied sarcastically, “No.” “I just returned from a meal with the president. Please leave now.”

The woman’s grin grew even bigger. A delicate hand was suddenly placed under the man’s arm.

“Do you know what you’re doing, lady?” enraged, the man inquired. “Leave me alone, I said.

Just then, a cop appeared. “Do you have any problems, ma’am?” he inquired.

The woman said, “No trouble here, officer.” “I’m just trying to get this guy up and moving. Will you assist me?”

The cop rubbed his temples. “That’s Jack, the old man. He’s been a regular around here for a few years now. What are your intentions with him?”

“Did you notice that cafeteria over there?” she inquired. “I’ll grab him something to eat and get him out of the cold for a time,” says the narrator.

“Do you think you’re crazy, lady?” The homeless man fought back. “I don’t want to go in there!” says the narrator. Strong hands then grabbed his other arm and lifted him up. “Officer, please let me go. Nothing was done by me.”

The officer responded, “This is a good deal for you, Jack.” “Don’t squander it.”

The woman and the police officer finally got Jack into the cafeteria and set him at a table in a remote corner, albeit with some effort. Because it was mid-morning, most of the breakfast population had already left, and the lunch crowd had yet to come…

The manager made his way across the cafeteria and took a seat at his table. “Officer, what’s going on here?” he inquired. “What’s going on here, is this guy in trouble?”

The policeman responded, “This lady brought this man in here to be fed.”

“Not in here!” yelled the manager angrily. “It’s awful for business to have someone like that here.”

With a toothless grin, Old Jack smiled. “Take a look, woman. I warned you. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I had no intention of coming here in the first place.”

“Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the financial firm down the street?” the woman asked the cafeteria manager, smiling.

The manager said impatiently, “Of course I am.” “One of my banquet halls is where they hold their monthly meetings.”

“Do you make a fortune serving food at these weekly meetings?”

“What is your line of business?”

Sir, my name is Penelope Eddy, and I am the company’s president and CEO.”

“Oh.”

The woman smiled once more. “I was hoping it would make a difference.” She cast a glance at the cop, who was stifling a laugh. “Officer, would you like to join us for a cup of coffee and a meal?”

The cop said, “No thanks, ma’am.” “I’m on duty,” she says.

“How about a cup of coffee to go?”

“Ma’am, yes. That would be fantastic.”

“I’ll get your coffee for you right away, officer,” the cafeteria manager said, turning on his heel.

The cop stood there watching him walk away. He remarked, “You certainly put him in his place.”

“That was not my intention at all. I have a motive for all of this, believe it or not.”

She took a seat across from her astonished dinner companion. She locked her gaze on him. “Do you remember who I am, Jack?”

With his elderly, rheumy eyes, Old Jack studied her face. “I believe so — you definitely appear to be familiar.”

“Perhaps I’m a little older,” she admitted. “Perhaps I’ve filled out more forms than I did when you worked here and I entered through that same door, freezing and hungry.”

“Ma’am?” “Questioningly,” the officer said. He couldn’t imagine such a beautifully dressed woman could be hungry.

The woman started, “I was barely out of college.” “I had gone to the city in search of work, but there was nothing available. I was finally forced out of my flat because I was down to my last few cents. For days, I walked the streets. It was February, and I was freezing and hungry. I spotted this eatery and decided to go in on the chance of getting something to eat.”

Jack’s face brightened up with a grin. He answered, “Now I remember.” “I was working behind the counter as a server. You approached me and asked if you might work for food. It was against business policy, I explained.”

The woman added, “I know.” “Then you made me the largest roast beef sandwich I’d ever seen, handed me a cup of coffee, and directed me to a corner table to eat it. I was terrified you’d get yourself into trouble… When I turned around and saw you entering the price of my lunch into the cash register, I knew everything would be fine.”

“So you went out on your own and founded your own company?” “Says, Old Jack.”

“That same afternoon, I was offered a job. I worked my way up the ladder. Eventually,

I launched my own firm, which flourished thanks to God’s support.” She took a business card from her purse and opened it.

“I’d like you to pay a visit to Mr. Lyons after you’re done here… My company’s personnel director is him. I’ll go talk to him right now, and I’m confident he’ll find something for you to do at work.”

She gave a kind smile. “I believe he may even be able to find a way to grant you a small loan so you can buy some clothes and find a place to live until you get back on your feet… My door is always open to you if you need anything.”

The old man’s eyes welled up with tears. He asked, “How can I ever thank you?”

The woman said, “Don’t thank me.”

The police and the woman lingered at the cafeteria’s door before going their own ways…

“Thank you for all your assistance, officer,” she expressed her gratitude.

He responded, “On the contrary, Ms. Eddy.” “Thank you so much. Today I witnessed a miracle that I will never forget. Thank you for the coffee, as well.”