“We all hit hard times. You’ve done more for this country than most of us ever could. Let us do this for you.” Jacob’s shoulders slumped as the weight of their words sank in. For the first time in a long while, he felt something other than shame—he felt seen. He nodded slowly, swallowing hard.
“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Thank you so much.” With their combined money and the older woman’s firm insistence, Jacob returned to the store with the group. The cashier had held his items at the register, and she greeted them with a relieved smile. “I’m glad you came back,” she said warmly.