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JOAN
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"How were things at the shelter today, Hon?" Melody Winger asked her husband as they sat down to dinner. He'd been so much happier and more relaxed since he'd quit his job to start working at a homeless shelter.
"Good." he answered thoughtfully. "Met someone new today."
Those words were always sad. It meant someone who had only recently lost their home. It meant he was helping someone who was going through what was probably the worst time in their life. She waited for him to continue.
"Her husband came back from overseas in a bad way. She didn't go into any kind of detail - they never do when they're new - but he'd seen too much. He couldn't face life here. She tried everything to get him some help, but it didn't work. In six months he'd been in and out of jail, and drank them into debt. Eventually he just left."
"Leaving her alone - with no resources." Melody commented sadly. "Any kids?"
Mark shook his head.
"Thank goodness for small favors."
He nodded. "She wasn't at all bitter, though." He took a deep breath. "Said she couldn't help him, but maybe he'd find someone who could look after him." He smiled ruefully and shook his head. "Said she'd keep an eye out at the shelter for people like him. Maybe someday she'd find someone she could help."
