An awesome story, probably fiction, but very up lifting




You Reap What You Sow

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the

finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never

missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to

make fun of him, like so many others had done before.

"Leave me alone," he growled.... To his amazement, the woman

continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed

in dazzling rows.

"Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the

president... Now go away.."

The woman's smile became even broader.

Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm..

"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up.

"Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to

get this man to his feet. Will you help me?

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture

around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked.. "I'm going to get him

something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted.

"I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his

other arm and lift him up.

"Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything.."

"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer

got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner.

It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had

already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table.

"What's going on here, officer?" he asked."What is all this, is this

man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that

here is bad for business."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if

you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you

familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their

weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these

weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh...."

The woman smiled again... "I thought that might make a difference.."

She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh.

"Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, ma'am.. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for

you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent... Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She

stared at him intently.

"Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes.

"I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said.

"Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you

worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such

a magnificently turned out woman could ev er have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city

looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything.

Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my

apartment.. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was

cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off

chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind

the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for

something to eat.. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued.

"Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever

seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner

table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble.

Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the

cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I

started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.."

She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.

"When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons.

He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now

and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office."

She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a

little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to

live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door

is always open to you.."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?"

he asked.. "Don't thank me," the woman answered..

"To God goes the glory. He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the

entrance before going their separate ways.. "Thank you for all your

help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered.

"Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget.

And….And thank you for the coffee."