For several years, you’d been working as a waitress at the café on the corner, managing busy shifts day after day. Some customers could be quite difficult, often forgetting to say thank you or being demanding. But among them, there was one man who always stood out. He had a calm and respectful manner that set him apart from the rest. You often wondered if he might be a soldier, though you could never be sure. His visits were a welcome change from your usual routine and brought a bit of brightness to your day.

One rainy morning, as the café buzzed with the usual noise and the sound of raindrops tapping against the windows, you spotted him sitting at his favourite table by the window. With your notepad ready, you walked over with a friendly smile.

“Good morning,” you said as you reached his table. “What can I get for you today?”

He looked up, his gaze steady and polite. “Good morning, love,” he replied, a rare warmth in his voice. “I’ll have the usual—black coffee, no sugar.”