DECEMBER 20th

 

COFFEE, ONE SUGAR

 He was huddled in the doorway with a dog sharing his sleeping-bag, his hair spiked with frost. Allie put her latte down beside his blue nose and hurried on, too embarrassed to linger.

The next day she put the coffee into the man’s hands, and when his icy fingers touched hers she blurted out, “How do you cope?”

He hugged his dog. “We keep each other warm.”

“What else can I bring you?”

“A warmer hat would be welcome.” He raised the coffee and surprised her with a broad grin. “And less sugar – it’s bad for the dog.”

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This is the first of my Christmas week offerings - a story I first wrote in 2017, and a reminder that some people would be grateful even for the shelter of a stable this Christmas.