The man gave the last crumbs of bread to his dog.
Emma turned back to me.
“Please, Mom. Let me do this.”
I finally nodded.
“All right. You can buy his lunch. But I’m paying for ours.”
Emma hurried toward him.
“Excuse me, sir?”
The man looked up cautiously.
“Would you and your dog like to eat with us?”
His eyes moved from Emma to me.
“I don’t want any trouble.”
“You’re not causing trouble,” I said. “My daughter is simply very determined.”
“I’m generous,” Emma corrected.
The dog’s tail tapped weakly against the pavement.
For the first time, the man smiled.
“My name is Barry,” he said. “And this is Gypsy.”
Part Three: The Meal That Changed Everything
Inside the diner, Emma insisted that Barry order whatever he wanted.
He chose soup, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and coffee.
Emma asked the waitress whether the kitchen could prepare some unseasoned meat for Gypsy.
