The Last Embrace 207 Decent Meal

Adam saw the hesitation marred the old man's face. He whispered something on grandpa's ears. "I will buy you clean pants, shoes, and shirt so that you can go with us, how about that?"

The old man shook his head. "No. That will be too much to ask coming from someone that has no value like me," he said not wanting to impose on them.

Jessy smiled at the old man. "Don't worry Grandpa, it's okay, just wait over there in the corner we will be back shortly—okay?" she said.

The old man nodded, he waited in the corner, waiting patiently for the couple to come back, not expecting anything though.

Jessy and Adam went inside the nearest men's clothing store and brought two shirts, one pair of men sandals, two pants, a belt, and clean underwear.

"Were not sure with the size but I think these clothes will do fine," Adam said.

"I think it will fit him just right, you and Grandpa have nearly the same height and body built," Jessy said, they paid in cash their purchases in the counter.

They exited the store and went to the place where they saw the old man, they saw him sitting on the cemented pavement waiting for them.

"Grandpa, we brought you some clothes, here they are, it's all yours!" Adam said and gently placed the shopping bag on the old man's hands.

The old man took a peek inside the bag and his smile is brighter than ever. "Thank you, kids! There are public toilet and bath nearby, can I go there and have a bath first?" his eyes were sparkling.

"No problem Grandpa—can you see that restaurant a few blocks from here, there is a table outside and some people are eating there, we will wait for you there, just come when you're ready, okay? Take your time, we are not in a hurry and we're not going anywhere," Adam said.

"Okay, thank you so much, kids! You're so kind!" the old grandpa took the shopping bag with him and disappeared into the alley.

Jessy and Adam proceed to the restaurant, there's not much customer during this time, they chose a table for four outside the establishment with a nice umbrella shielding the patrons from the heat of the sun, it's a nice cozy restaurant.

Jessy looked at the menu. "I will order my foods, you also order your foods and we will just think of any delicious dishes that Grandpa will love to eat..." she said looking at the menu list.

After Jessy chose her food, it's now Adam's turn to chose the meal on the menu list, he chose two meals with three dishes each for him and the old man.

"This will be like a feast for sure, I kind of feel hungry," Adam said, about to take his wallet from the pocket of his jacket...

But Jessy stopped him. "Allow me to pay our orders in the counter, it's my treat, I will treat you...guys!" Jessy said wearing a smug smile on her face. She went inside and pay their orders to the cashier.

Jessy went back to Adam's side. "The cashier said that we have to wait for fifteen minutes for our orders to be delivered in our table, so let's wait a bit," she said.

"No problem, Grandpa still not here...while waiting let's take a selfie!" Adam grinned. He took his mobile phone from his trousers pocket.

Jessy and Adam make a pose in front of the camera, then they stared at each other, laughing silly.

A few minutes later.

An old man was standing in front of them.

"Hello kids!" he greeted the couple.

Jessy and Adam looked at the old man...WOW... it's no other than the homeless guy!

"Wow, you look different Grandpa! no offense meant," Adam explained.

"Thanks to the clean clothes you give me, son, I look like a decent human being now," the old man said teary-eyed.

"Please, have a seat, Grandpa!" Jessy pointed at the chair in front of them, marveling at grandpa's huge transformation now that he was wearing clean clothes and had a shower.

"Grandpa, I would like you to formally meet my girlfriend, her name is Jessy and my name is Adam, nice meeting you Grandpa!" Adam introduces themselves to the old man.

"My name is Waldo, just a random homeless guy," replied the old man.

"Nice meeting you Grandpa Waldo!" the couple said in unison.

Grandpa Waldo coughed a little. "I want to thank you, kids, for treating me to a decent meal, it's actually my 68th birthday today and I did not expect such a pleasant surprise from you kids, I'm forever grateful for your kindness and generosity," Waldo said.

"Don't thank us yet, Grandpa, the food has not arrived yet," Adam joked.

Jessy stood up. "Let's go now inside and wait for our orders there," she walked towards the door and entered the restaurant, the two men followed her inside.

They chose a five-seater table and informed the waiter for their foods to be delivered there.

Jessy stood up and approached the food display cabinet, she pointed at the cute round chocolate cake on display, she also brought a candle and a lighter, she paid the cashier her purchases and went back to the table—bringing with her the cake.

"Happy Birthday Grandpa! Make a wish!" Jessy said and lighted the candle.

Waldo can't contain his happiness, he did not expect that he will have a little cake on his birthday, this is all too much for him, it's overwhelming. "Thank you so much, kids!" he was about to blow the candle but Adam stopped him on time...

"Not yet, Grandpa!" he said.

Adam stood up and looked around him, only a dozen customers are dining inside, they will do.

He addresses them all..."Hello guys, I need your attention please for a moment...Grandpa here is celebrating his 68th birthday today, will you be so kind as to sing a birthday song for him? Please?" he looked around him and the customers were nodding their heads willing to humor him including the cashier and the waiters.

Adam started singing the birthday song and everyone in the restaurant sang along with him...."Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday...happy Birthday...happy birthday to you! Grandpa, you may blow the candle now and make a wish!" he said.

Grandpa Waldo blew the candle teary-eyed. He looked at the people around him who are kind enough to sing to him a birthday song. "Thank you so much, everyone, for the birthday song! This is my happiest birthday ever for a long time, may your lives be filled with a bountiful blessing from God above," he said.

Everyone clapped their hands and smiled at the old man... then they returned their attention to their foods.

Waldo sat down on the chair and looked at the cake. "It's beautiful!" he murmured.

Jessy and Adam looked at each other feeling pity towards the old man.

Soon the food feast arrived and Waldo was blown away drooling at the mouthwatering dishes being served in their table.

"Let's eat, guys!" Adam said licking his lips.

They began putting foods on their plates and started eating.

One hour later.

Their stomach was full and there are still leftover foods in the platter.

"Wow! Thank you so much, kids, it's the first time I feel so full like this!" Waldo put his hand on his tummy feeling grateful for the two kindhearted souls in front of him, they just give him a chance to experience how does it feel to be a decent human being once again.

"You deserve this blessing, Grandpa! It's just a little gift from us!" Jessy said.

Waldo stared at the foods in front of him.

Chapter end

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