It was January 12th and, when Marta awoke that morning, she felt in a rut. Her job was in a dead-end typing pool with dozens of other girls her age. Any advancement would only be through attrition as she never completed her education and, at the present, she was low girl on the totem pole.

She looked around her apartment for the tenth time that morning trying to find her wallet. It had to be there somewhere, it was only a small studio apartment, how far away could it be? Unless . . . oh, she didn't want to think she had lost it! It contained her drivers license, Social Security card and her one charge card, American Express. She chose that one so she wouldn't be tempted to go overboard knowing she'd have to pay the entire balance each month. One more try and then she'd have to leave for work or she'd be late.

There was a gentle knock at the door. Though the door held on the guard chain, Marta could see the tall gray-haired man standing there. She didn't know who he was and, from the looks of his clothing, he must have fallen on hard times. Marta said: "May I help you?" The man looked at her quizically and said: "Did you lose something?" She was completely confused by his question and she replied: "Who are you, and what business is that of yours?" The man smiled and said: "I'm sorry. My name is Sam Barber, and I've found a wallet and wondered if you're Marta Rainer. The address on the driver's license is for this house, and the apartment number is the same that's on this door." "Oh," she cried, "thank you SO much! I've been looking all over for it and I'll be late for work if I don't leave in 15 minutes!" Sam smiled warmly at Marta. She reminded him of his daughter who had died 7 years ago. Sam said: "Before I hand the wallet over to you can you prove that you're Marta Rainer?" "Oh, dear" said Marta, 'all my identification is in the wallet . . . I know, I can tell you what's in the wallet!" And she read off the contents of the wallet, down to the little picture of her deceased parents. Sam was satisfied that she was the owner of the wallet and pushed it through the crack in the door. Marta was all flustered; she had to leave for work! She thanked Sam and told him she had no money for a reward, but would he please join her for lunch in The Corner Luncheonette. It was on the corner of Mace and Thyme Streets. Sam said there was no need to do that, but she insisted, and he finally gave in saying he'd 'just have a cup of coffee.' Marta thanked him again and said she'd meet him at noon in the luncheonette. He smiled at her and left. She put her wallet in her purse and was on her way to work at a fast pace.

Lunch time rolled around fast and, by the time she realized it, Marta was late for the coffee 'date' with Sam. She arrived at the luncheonette to find Sam sitting alone at a table in the corner having a cup of coffee. Marta walked up to the table saying: "I'm sorry I'm late, Sam. The office was very busy today." Sam smiled as he pulled the chair out for her, saying: "That's alright, I was doing a bit of people watching as I waited." Marta ordered a tuna on white toast, and a pot of tea. She needed something to warm her after the icy chill of this January day.

She began asking Sam about himself. He said he was a veteran of Viet Nam and living at the Missionary shelter at the edge of town. He lived from one small job to another and the shelter supplied him with coffee and toast in the morning and usually a soup or stew at night. He was surviving. Marta had an idea! She asked Sam what they did at the shelter . . . who lives there, are there women, and children? Sam answered yes to all her questions. Marta told Sam of her parents' death and how alone and lonely she felt. She wondered if there was anything she could do at the shelter to help out . . . in a volunteer capacity. Sam smiled at her and almost shouted, "Oh, Yes! they need volunteers to help keep the children amused and to help the women fill out forms for jobs, etc." Marta smiled at Sam and, as her lunch was served, she had a plan . . . she had the perfect solution for her January blahs . . . she'd help those who weren't as fortunate as she was. She had made a new friend and was feeling happy again!