Jimmy was taken aback when the homeless man he had treated to coffee earlier that day unexpectedly boarded the plane and settled into the first-class seat beside him. Who was he, really? And why had he been asking for money in the first place?
I never gave much thought to fate until Kathy entered my life.
She appeared three months ago, and in no time, she became everything to me. People said I was reckless for proposing after just a month, but it felt like the universe itself was pushing me toward her, as if whispering, “She’s the one.”
We had so much in common—our perspective on life, a shared passion for skiing, and an equal love for science fiction novels. Everything fit together effortlessly.
Now, I was on my way to meet her parents for the first time.
Kathy had given me a heads-up about her father, David. She described him as a tough man who didn’t give his approval easily. But she also reassured me that, despite his stern nature, he had a kind heart and loved her deeply.
To be honest, I was nervous. I knew I had only one chance to prove myself worthy of his daughter, and I didn’t want to blow it.
I had arrived at the airport much earlier than necessary, thanks to my jittery nerves pushing me out of the house. To pass the time, I stepped into a small, inviting café across the street.
The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the gentle murmur of conversations provided a welcome distraction from my swirling thoughts.
That’s when I noticed him.
A man shuffled into the café, dressed in worn-out clothes. His face was lined with the marks of a hard life, his posture slightly hunched. His eyes, though weary, scanned the room as if searching for something.
I watched as he approached different tables, speaking softly to the patrons.
Most people shook their heads, avoided eye contact, or offered polite refusals. Eventually, he stopped at my table.
“Excuse me,” he said, his voice gentle. “Would you mind sparing some change? Just enough for a cup of coffee.”
For a moment, I hesitated. My first instinct was to decline—not because I didn’t care, but because I wasn’t sure if I could trust him. Some people genuinely need help, while others take advantage of kindness.
But something about him was different. He wasn’t insistent, and he seemed embarrassed to even ask.
“What kind of coffee do you want?” I asked.
“Jamaican Blue Mountain,” he replied almost sheepishly. “I’ve heard it’s really good.”
I nearly laughed. It was the most expensive coffee on the menu. For a second, I wondered if he was joking. But the way he looked at me stopped me from making any assumptions.
“Why that one?” I asked.
He offered a small smile. “It’s my birthday,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to try it. Figured… why not today?”
A part of me was skeptical. Sure, it’s your birthday, I thought.
But another part of me chose to believe him.
“Alright,” I said, rising from my seat. “Let’s get you that coffee.”
His face lit up with genuine gratitude. “Thank you,” he said.
I didn’t just buy him the coffee. I added a slice of cake, too—because what’s a birthday without cake? When I handed him the tray, I gestured toward the empty chair at my table.
“Sit down,” I said. “Tell me your story.”
For a moment, he hesitated, as if unsure whether I truly meant it. But then, he took the seat, cradling the coffee cup like it was something precious. And he started talking.
His name was David. He had lost everything—his job, his home, even his family—years ago. He had faced betrayals and misfortunes, but he never made excuses.
He spoke with raw honesty, and I found myself unable to turn away.
By the time he finished his story, I felt a lump in my throat. I discreetly slipped him $100 before leaving, but he tried to refuse it.
“Consider it a gift from me,” I insisted. “And happy birthday.”
As I walked out of the café, I thought I had simply done a small, kind gesture for a stranger. I never imagined I’d see him again—let alone that he would completely change my world just a few hours later.
The airport was bustling as I sat in the first-class lounge, sipping another cup of coffee. My nerves about meeting Kathy’s family had calmed a bit, but her father remained on my mind. What if he didn’t like me? What if he thought I wasn’t good enough?
I sent Kathy a text.
I’m super nervous. How’s it going over there?
Everything’s great, she replied. I’m sure Dad’s going to love you.
When my flight was called, I boarded and took my seat by the window.
First class felt like a luxury I didn’t deserve, but Kathy had insisted I treat myself for once. As I settled in, my thoughts returned to David. I hoped the money I had given him made his birthday a little brighter.
Then, I saw him again.
I froze as the same man from the café stepped into the aisle.
But this time, he wasn’t in tattered clothes.
He wore a perfectly tailored suit, his hair neatly styled, a gleaming watch on his wrist.
Our eyes met, and he smirked.
“Mind if I sit here?” he asked, sliding into the seat next to me.
My mind reeled. “What… what is going on?”
He leaned back, his grin widening. “Let’s call it… a test.”
“A test?” I repeated, my confusion growing.
He chuckled and pulled out a sleek notebook.
“Allow me to properly introduce myself. I’m David.” He paused to watch my reaction. “Kathy’s father.”
I stared in shock. “Wait… you’re her dad? The one I’m flying out to meet?”
“The very same,” he confirmed. “I prefer a hands-on approach. I wanted to see who my daughter’s fiancé really is—outside of polite introductions and rehearsed answers.”
I was stunned.
“So… this was all an act?” I asked.
“A necessary one,” he said. “It’s easy to be kind when people are watching. I wanted to see how you’d treat a stranger when you thought no one would ever know. And you passed.”
“The first part?” I asked, my heart pounding. “How many parts are there?”
He handed me a pen and his notebook. “Just one more. Write a letter to Kathy.”
“A letter?”
“Yes. Tell her why you love her, why you want to marry her, and how you’ll take care of her. Be honest.”
My hands trembled as I stared at the blank page. But as I began to write, the words flowed freely. I wrote about how Kathy made me feel whole, how her laughter lifted me, and how I wanted to build a life with her filled with love and trust.
When I finished, David read the letter. Then, he smiled.
“You passed,” he said. “Welcome to the family.”
Relief flooded through me.
As we landed and made our way to Kathy’s home, my mind still raced. Had I truly earned David’s approval?
Dinner was tense. David barely spoke, watching me closely. I couldn’t tell if he was still testing me.
Then, after dinner, I found a receipt on the counter.
It was from the café where I had met David.
The receipt included a donation—an extra $100.
Kathy noticed my puzzled look. “Oh, that’s my dad’s way of tying up loose ends.”
“You mean… he didn’t keep the money?” I asked.
She smiled. “No. After you left, he handed it back to the café staff as a donation.”
I looked at her, my mind spinning. “Did you know about all of this?”
She leaned in, her eyes twinkling. “What do you think?”