Officer Marcus Thompson had just finished a routine patrol when he felt a small tug at his uniform. Looking down, he saw a young boy in a bright red Spider-Man shirt, barefoot and smiling.
“Hey, buddy,” Marcus said, kneeling down. “Do you like police dogs?”
The boy nodded, gently petting the K-9 by Marcus’s side. Then his smile faded. “My dad used to be a police officer too,” he said softly.
Marcus’s heart tightened. He could tell there was more behind the boy’s quiet words.
“What’s your name?” Marcus asked.
“Nathaniel. But everyone calls me Nate.”
“Nice to meet you, Nate. Want to tell me more about your dad?”
Nate’s eyes lit up. “He was the best. He helped people, even when we didn’t have much. He taught me how to tie my shoes, too—even though it took forever,” he added with a proud grin, which quickly wavered. “Mom says he’s not around anymore. She gets really sad when she talks about him.”
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