Chapter 7 - The Man Who Came Back
Six months later, Samuel returned.
He didn't come back to ask for his job.
He came to apologize.
Daniel was working at the front desk when Samuel entered.
He looked different.
Older.
Humbler.
He approached Daniel.
“Can I speak with you?”
Daniel nodded.
They stepped aside.
Samuel looked uncomfortable.
“I was wrong.”
Daniel said nothing.
“I judged that old man.”
“Yes.”
“I judged you.”
“Yes.”
“I thought money made people valuable.”
Daniel nodded.
Samuel swallowed.
“I lost my job.”
“I know.”
“I lost several friends.”
Daniel remained silent.
“I blamed everyone.”
Samuel looked down.
“But eventually I realized the problem was me.”
Daniel finally spoke.
“Why are you telling me?”
“Because you're the person I hurt most.”
Daniel considered him.
Then said:
“Thank you for apologizing.”
Samuel looked surprised.
“That's it?”
“What else do you want?”
“Forgiveness.”
Daniel smiled.
“That's something you have to earn.”
Samuel nodded.
“I understand.”
He turned to leave.
Then Harold appeared.
Samuel froze.
“Mr. Whitmore.”
Harold smiled.
“Samuel.”
“I owe you an apology too.”
Harold looked at him.
“Yes.”
“I judged you because of your clothes.”
“Yes.”
“I regret it.”
Harold nodded.
“Good.”
Samuel looked confused.
“You're not angry?”
“I was.”
“Then why aren't you now?”
“Because anger is expensive.”
Samuel smiled weakly.
“I learned that.”
Harold extended his hand.
Samuel hesitated.
Then shook it.
“Thank you.”
Harold nodded.
But before Samuel left, Harold said:
“There's a position open.”
Samuel looked back.
“What?”
“Not here.”
Samuel waited.
“A community employment center needs someone to train young salespeople.”
Samuel's eyes widened.
“You'd recommend me?”
“I'd recommend the man you're becoming.”
Samuel's eyes filled with tears.
“I won't disappoint you.”
“I hope you don't.”
Samuel left.
Daniel looked at Harold.
“You really gave him another chance?”
“Everyone deserves one.”
“Even him?”
“Especially him.”
Daniel smiled.
That was the lesson.
Respect wasn't something reserved for perfect people.
It was something everyone had to practice.
That evening, Edward joined them.
“Dinner?”
Harold nodded.
“Where?”
Daniel smiled.
“I know a little diner.”
Harold laughed.
“Perfect.”
Edward looked at his father's old coat.
“You're not changing?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Harold smiled.
“Because it still fits.”
May you like
They laughed.
And three men who had entered each other's lives under very different circumstances walked into the night together.
