His pride screamed at him to refuse, to tell them he didn’t need their help. But the sincerity in their voices, the warmth in their words—it chipped away at the walls he had built around himself. “Why are you doing this?” he asked hoarsely, his voice trembling.
The older woman smiled, her eyes soft. “Because we can,” she said simply. “And because no one should have to struggle alone.” The young mother nodded in agreement, bouncing her toddler gently.