Scared Lily ran straight to me that day — and everything changed. My name is Walter, and I’ve walked the same delivery route for years. At my age, you’d think I’d seen everything. But nothing prepared me for the morning little Lily ran into my arms. I came to a house I’d visited many times, but this time the door opened to a young girl in pajamas, shaking and frightened. Loud noise came from inside, and she clung to me like she’d been waiting for someone to help. I took her to my truck and stayed with her until everything became calm again. I thought that was the end of it… but it wasn’t. A few days later I learned Lily had been placed in a children’s home. Something in me couldn’t leave it at that. I visited her, sat with her, listened to her. Every visit, she smiled a little more. One day she whispered, “Mr. Walter… can I stay with you?” And I knew the answer immediately. I filed the papers. She came home. A 50-year-old delivery man became “Dad,” and a frightened young girl finally felt safe again. She thinks I saved her. But truly… she saved me too.
