We headed downstairs after getting dressed. In the kitchen, I was surprised to see three plates of pancakes with jam and fruit. \u201cGirls, did you see this?\u201d I asked. \u201cWow, pancakes! Did you make them, Daddy?\u201d Lily exclaimed. I called my sister Sarah, but she hadn\u2019t stopped by.\n\n\n\n

The next day, I woke up early to investigate and saw a woman in old postal worker clothes making breakfast. Startled, she tried to leave. \u201cWait, please, I won\u2019t harm you,\u201d I said. \u201cYou made those pancakes, right? Please, tell me why you\u2019re doing this?\u201d\n\n\n\n

The woman, Claire, explained that two months ago, I helped her when she was desperate. \u201cYour kindness saved me,\u201d she said. Claire\u2019s ex-husband had left her with nothing. She wanted to repay my kindness and had been helping with small tasks.\n\n\n\n

Touched by her story, I said, \u201cClaire, let\u2019s do this differently. No more sneaking in, okay? How about you join us for breakfast now and then?\u201d She smiled, \u201cI\u2019d like that, Jack. Thank you.\u201d\n\n\n\n

We spent the morning talking and eating the pancakes she made. Claire shared her plans to reunite with her son. \u201cThank you for sharing your story, Claire,\u201d I said. \u201cLet\u2019s help each other from now on.\u201d\n\n\n\n

A new chapter began, filled with hope and mutual support.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"