Chapter 1
The boy walked into the little diner clutching a handful of coins and quietly asked, “Ma’am, is this enough for one plate of rice?” The owner looked at his dirty clothes and shouted for him to get out.
His name was Noah, and he couldn’t have been more than nine years old.
It was a freezing evening in Chicago, and his jacket was two sizes too small.
He stood near the counter staring at the plates of hot food.
“I can pay,” he whispered.
The restaurant owner, Carol, looked at the coins in his palm.
“Pay with what? Pennies?”
A few customers turned around.
Noah lowered his head.
“I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
Carol grabbed the coins and tossed them onto the floor.
“Then go beg somewhere else.”
The boy dropped to his knees and started picking them up.
A waiter named Marcus quietly reached for a plate.
“I’ll pay for his meal.”
Carol slapped the plate out of his hands.
“I said no.”
Noah flinched as it shattered beside him.
Then Carol grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him toward the door.
“Get out before I call the police.”
“Please,” Noah cried. “I just want something for my little sister too.”
Carol picked up a broom.
“OUT!”
She swung it toward him, and Noah covered his head with both arms.
That was when an elderly customer stood up.
“Put that down.”
Carol laughed.
“Stay out of my business.”
The old man walked over and helped Noah to his feet.
Then he asked quietly, “Where are your parents?”
Noah wiped his face.
“My mom died last month.”
“And your father?”
The boy hesitated.
“I don’t know him.”
The elderly man suddenly stared at the small silver necklace around Noah’s neck.
His hands began shaking.
“Where did you get that?”
“My mom gave it to me before she died.”
The man opened the locket.
Inside was an old photograph of a young woman standing beside him nearly ten years earlier.
He looked at Noah again and whispered, “What was your mother’s name?”
“Emily Carter.”
May you like
The man went completely pale.
Then he pulled out his phone and said, “Call my attorney. I think I just found my grandson.”
