Fifteen years earlier, Gus had held out his hand and promised me that as long as his diner existed, I’d have a place out front.
I’d believed it was simply a kind promise between friends.
But Gus had known that one day, someone might come along who didn’t understand its importance.
So he’d made sure the promise existed on paper.
Even after he was gone.
***
I walked out of the kitchen.
The moment the customers saw me, applause filled the room.
I raised one hand.
Everyone quieted.
Then I approached Ed.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
He looked at me.
“Gus didn’t want you to feel indebted to anybody. He said you’d spent enough of your life owing people favors.”
My eyes filled.
“And you were the one who saved the building?”
Ed shrugged.
“I had some money from selling part of my farm for wind turbines. It seemed like a good use for it.”
