Tommy's eyes widened.
"Yes, sir."
"You work hard. You're committed. Miss Hayes speaks highly of you."
Arthur smiled.
"You're exactly the kind of student this scholarship was created to help."
Catherine handed Tommy an envelope.
"Full tuition, books, and a living stipend through your nursing program."
Tommy opened the envelope with shaking hands.
He read the letter.
Then his face crumpled.
He began crying.
Lashonda immediately pulled him into a hug.
Riverside erupted again.
People stood.
Clapped.
Cheered.
Arthur waited.
Then he turned toward Lashonda.
"The third proposal is for you."
Lashonda's heart pounded.
"Mr. Brennan, you've already..."
"Please hear me out."
She stopped.
Arthur continued.
"I'm establishing a community impact investment initiative."
He looked around the diner.
"We'll identify neighborhood businesses, organizations, and programs that have real value but lack access to capital. We'll provide funding, mentorship, and resources where they can produce measurable community benefit."
Lashonda nodded slowly.
"But I need somebody who understands these communities from the inside."
Arthur looked directly at her.
"Someone people trust."
Lashonda stopped breathing.
"Someone who understands struggle without romanticizing it. Someone who understands dignity."
Catherine handed Lashonda another document.
"We'd like you to become director of community outreach."
Lashonda stared at her.
"Your role would be identifying organizations and local businesses worth supporting, building relationships with residents, assessing needs, and serving as the bridge between our capital and the communities we're trying to help."
Lashonda looked down at the document.
Salary.
$85,000 annually.
Full benefits.
Health insurance.
Retirement plan.
Professional development.
Her current yearly income was around $22,000.
David added, "We'll also prepay one year of your rent so your immediate housing situation isn't hanging over every decision you make."
Lashonda's vision blurred.
"This isn't real."
"It is," Catherine said.
Lashonda looked at Arthur.
"Why me?"
Arthur waited.
"I don't have experience. I don't have credentials for something like this."
Her voice became smaller.
"I'm just a waitress."
Arthur's expression changed immediately.
"You are not just anything, Miss Hayes."
He looked around Riverside.
"You saw a confused old man standing outside in a storm."
Lashonda swallowed.
"You didn't see an opportunity."
Arthur continued.
"You didn't see a wealthy man because you didn't know I was one."
He gestured toward himself.
"You saw a human being who needed help."
The room remained quiet.
"That judgment cannot be purchased," Arthur said. "That kind of compassion can't be manufactured through a training seminar."
Catherine nodded.
"You understand something many analysts don't. You see value in people and places others overlook."
Lashonda looked around.
Dmitri.
His life's work saved.
Tommy.
A scholarship in his hands.
Maria.
Her job secure.
The regulars.
Her neighborhood.
The people she loved.
"Can I ask something?" Lashonda said.
"Anything," Arthur answered.
"If I take this job..."
She looked toward Dmitri.
"Can I still work at the diner sometimes?"
Arthur smiled.
"I don't want to lose this," Lashonda continued. "These are my people."
"As long as Dmitri will have you."
Dmitri raised both hands.
"Always, koritsi mou. Always."
Lashonda looked again at the contract.
At the salary.
At the opportunity to help other people in the same way someone was now helping her.