“Tell me why you took it.”
Adam closed the file.
“Mr. Reed,” he said gently, “would you tell me what happened?”
The old man lowered his head.
“I took the food.”
“Why?”
His voice trembled.
“I was hungry, sir.”
Adam waited.
Thomas wiped his eyes.
“My wife passed away three years ago. I worked most of my life, but my pension isn’t much. My rent went up, and the medicine I need costs more than I can afford.”
He paused.
“I tried to make what I had last until the end of the month.”
Adam nodded.
“But it didn’t.”
Thomas shook his head.
“I hadn’t eaten properly in several days.”
“Did you ask anyone for help?”
“I was ashamed.”
The words struck Adam deeply.
Ashamed.
He remembered feeling exactly the same way.
Ashamed of poverty.
Ashamed of needing help.
Ashamed of being unable to provide for someone he loved.
Thomas continued.
