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<\/p>\nDean lacked his father. Not a day went by that Dean didn\u2019t think of Officer Frank O\u2019Neal, his smile, and his laugh, who had died in the line of duty six months prior.<\/p>\n
Dean\u2019s mother, Amy, relocated the family to California when Frank passed away so they could escape the painful memories. What makes Dean\u2019s heart stop every time he sees a police officer, then?<\/p>\n
In search of a birthday present for his mother, Dean was in the mall. Dean wanted to get Amy something special because he knew it would be difficult for her to celebrate her first birthday without Frank.<\/p>\n
He was hunting for something his father would have bought after using some of his savings. He set his eye on a lovely jewelry that would drain him of all of his money.<\/p>\n
Dean entered the mall and saw two police officers inside a police car that was parked outside the side door. He acknowledged them as he passed by.<\/p>\n
Your life can be changed by one act of kindness.
\nHe said, \u2018Hello.\u2019 You guys on a stakeout, I hear.<\/p>\n
The veteran policeman smiled. Hey, youngster, he exclaimed. Actually, we\u2019ve been told to keep a watch on a suspect who frequents this area, but now we\u2019re stuck.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Yeah,\u2019 the younger officer sighed. The men who were to take charge became involved in a hit-and-run downtown. No meal for us today!\u2019<\/p>\n
Dean expressed sympathy, \u2018That\u2019s very unfortunate.\u2019 He gave the officers a friendly wave before entering the air-conditioned mall. Poor men! In their police cruiser, they were hot and hungry.<\/p>\n
At that point, he had a thought that he knew was influenced by his father. He walked over to the pizza delivery place and placed an order for a big double pepperoni and cheese pie and a few ice-cold sodas.<\/p>\n
Dean went outside and carried the pizza and beverages to the police cruiser. He said, \u2018Hey. I want you to have this, guys.<\/p>\n
The older man objected, \u2018Kid.\u2019 \u2018You ought not to have!\u2019<\/p>\n
Embarrassed, Dean shrugged. It\u2019s nothing major, he said. \u2018Well, my dad was a police officer. I suppose I want to show my appreciation to his fellow officers.<\/p>\n
The younger officer questioned, \u2018Where\u2019s your dad?<\/p>\n
He passed away six months ago, Dean murmured, gluing his lips together so they wouldn\u2019t tremble. Although we were living in Portland, my mother wanted us to start over.<\/p>\n
He is missed, you know.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
I know, the older man murmured softly. In the line of duty, was he killed?<\/p>\n
Yes, Dean replied. They gave us a medal and everything, and they claimed he was a hero. I still miss him, though. I regret that he was a hero. More than a hero, I need a father.<\/p>\n
The younger cop replied, \u201cI see what you mean. Who are you called?<\/p>\n
Dean, he replied. Dean O\u2019Neal said. I have a birthday present to buy for my mother tomorrow. She has no desire to celebrate, bake a cake, or do anything else. She is very depressed.<\/p>\n
You stay strong, youngster,\u2019 the more experienced cop added. \u2018It does improve,\u2019<\/p>\n
Dean gave a shrug. I suppose,\u2019 he replied. Mom said California would be better, but all I find there is loneliness. Anyway\u2026 I\u2019ll see you later. To find a card for his mother, Dean returned to the mall.<\/p>\n
There just wasn\u2019t enough money for the bracelet after what he spent on the pizza. He went home after locating a card he believed she would enjoy. He never thought he\u2019d run across the police officers again.<\/p>\n
The following afternoon, when Dean got home from school, there were two police cars waiting outside his door! He hurried into the house while yelling, \u2018MOM,\u2019 as soon as he sensed anything was amiss.<\/p>\n
Coming out of the kitchen, his mother was flushed and appeared frazzled. The lounge was decorated with a large \u2018Happy Birthday\u2019 banner, and the kitchen was cooking up a delicious meal.<\/p>\n
\u2018Mom?\u2019 Dean queried. \u2018What\u2019s happening?\u2019<\/p>\n
The elder policeman Dean had spoken to outside the mall entered at that time carrying a huge, elaborate birthday cake. Hey there, Dean,\u2019 the policeman responded with a smile. \u2018You just made it!\u2019<\/p>\n
Three additional officers were chopping, dicing, and cooking in the kitchen. Dean exclaimed, \u2018What?\u2019 \u2018What\u2019s happening?\u2019<\/p>\n
The older cop explained, \u2018This is the welcoming committee. We wanted to make you feel welcome after learning that the family of another cop had moved into our community.<\/p>\n
Dean then noticed a stack of gifts on the sofa. What is this, he enquired.<\/p>\n
They somehow learned that it was my birthday, stated Dean\u2019s mother. Isn\u2019t it lovely? Everybody brought me gifts!<\/p>\n
Dean caught the elder officer\u2019s wink. We are here to protect and serve you, Ma\u2019am.<\/p>\n
Dean and Amy had a lot of fun on an evening that could have been depressing and lonely. The four officers sang \u2018Happy Birthday,\u2019cooked a wonderful dinner, and even washed the dishes before they departed.<\/p>\n
Dean and Amy were also given invitations to the Police Picnic. Dean,\u2019 Amy murmured. \u2018I feel that we are not alone for the first time. We\u2019ll be ok, I assure you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dean lacked his father. Not a day went by that Dean didn\u2019t think of Officer Frank O\u2019Neal, his smile, and his laugh, who had died in the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3452,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n