"Don't worry about it."
One Friday night, Walter left a ten-dollar tip.
Jake caught him outside.
"Mr. Walter!"
The old man turned.
"You left too much."
Walter smiled.
"I wanted you to have it."
Jake handed it back.
"No."
Walter frowned.
"No?"
"I don't need it."
"Everyone needs money."
Jake shook his head.
"Not as much as you do."
Walter stared at him.
Then he took the money.
But before leaving, he said:
"Someday, someone will help you when you need it."
Jake smiled.
"I hope so."
Walter pointed at him.
"Don't hope. Remember."
Then he walked away.
Jake watched him disappear into the darkness.
He had no idea how soon those words would matter.
Chapter 3 — The Envelope
A month passed.
Walter stopped coming.
Jake tried not to worry.
People disappeared from your life sometimes.
He knew that.
Still, every evening, he glanced toward the door.
One rainy Thursday, Walter finally returned.
But something was different.
He looked exhausted.
His clothes were soaked.
His hands were shaking.
Jake rushed over.
"What happened?"
Walter tried to smile.
"Nothing."
"You're terrible at pretending."
Walter sat down.
"My apartment is gone."
Jake froze.
"What?"
"I couldn't make the rent."
Jake sat opposite him.
"How much?"
Walter shook his head.
"Don't."
"How much?"
"I owe nearly six hundred dollars."
Jake felt his stomach tighten.
He had almost exactly six hundred dollars saved.
Money he'd been keeping for his mother's overdue electricity bill.