"Hey, mister, wanna share lunch with me." Tommy was broaching the man sitting on the park bench. He looked hungry and tired, so he felt he would offer something to help this person out. The man had a long beard and long hair. To most people, he looked unkempt. But Tommy's heart went out to him.

The man smiled at the boy, he was a boy, tiny for his age, but quite unafraid and percocious. "Yes, I will have something with you, it looks pretty tastey, I'll have your apple, if I may."

"Sure, you can have the package of chips too, if you like. It should go good together."

While they were eating they chatted matter of factly. The boy spoke of him and his mother, his father was gone to war. He was presently missing in action.

"I don't know what he looks like," the boy said, "I'm sure he's changed since he left when I was a baby."

The man let his thoughts wander. How many of these kids are without fathers, or mothers, who are gone to war? Wouldn't it be great if they could all be reunited again.

"If you don't have a place to stay, maybe you could come live at our place. Dad had a shop in the back, he made a neat place to work in, it is quite comfortable." Tommy interjected.

"I don't know, your mom might not look too kindly on a stranger living in your father's shop. Why she might throw me out." He chuckled as he spoke.

"My name's Tommy, what's yours?"

"The guys in my platoon called me "Snatch", can I call you Tater?"

"Sure, you can call me anything you want. I don't mind. Mom calls me "Sugar."They both laughted at that. The day was brighter now, it had been a long road back for him, but now he had discovered a relationship. Life would be better, from now on. At least Snatch believed it. And Tater, he never forgot the first time they met.
The End
Maria