Charles, a retired teacher, knew he would be unable to pay for the food he had placed inside his cart, only for a stranger to fill it up and pay for the whole lot. Soon later, they reunite aboard a private plane, when the guy reveals his actual name. Charles was an 86-year-old retired math teacher who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and was severely reliant on a caretaker who visited him at home daily. He had a lonely existence, refusing to reside in a nursing facility when his wife and only son died…
The way Charles progressively lost his memory was the most frustrating aspect of his life. He didn’t want to forget his wife and kid, as well as his days at university, where he was previously one of the most educated students and instructors. “Why did this have to happen to me, of all people! I had such a keen intellect!” he grumbled one day to his carer. “It’s one thing for destiny to force me to spend the rest of my life alone, but losing my memory? What awful luck!”
Melissa, Charles’s patient caretaker, attempted to make him feel less alone by chatting to him throughout the day and exercising his intellect by playing board games with him. But that wasn’t always enough, and he yearned for the companionship of his family. It was Melissa’s day off one day, and Charles wanted to go out of the home. Because he had nothing better to do, he decided to go to the neighboring supermarket and purchase food for the week.
He methodically strolled through every aisle, carefully selecting the products he wanted to buy. When he arrived at the cashier, he discovered he had left his wallet at home. The cashier saw Charles staring into space, as though unsure what to do. “Well, sir, do you have your credit card with you, or will you pay in cash?” she said. “I… I suppose I left my wallet at home,” a dazed Charles said.
“Oh, come on, sir, I’ve heard that excuse plenty of times,” the cashier grumbled. “It’s not going to work on me, and you’re not going to receive a free cart of goods today; move along now, you’re slowing down the line!” she said. Charles was prepared to ask the cashier for a few minutes so he could return home and collect his wallet, but she was preparing to call security, so the elderly guy carefully returned the items to the cart. That’s when he felt a hand on top of his, bringing him to a halt.
“Don’t take them out,” the guy remarked as he replaced the things on the counter. He unloaded Charles’ cart onto the conveyor and added a few extra things from the ready-to-eat aisle to his groceries. “I don’t have any money to pay for this since I forgot my wallet at home,” Charles said the guy. But the guy shook his head and placed a comforting arm on his shoulder.on “It’s me,” he replied, giving the cashier his credit card. “Next time, take it easy on the elderly, okay?
They’ve been through a lot,” he warned the cashier severely, and the woman’s face suddenly became crimson. When Charles found he was going to walk, a nice stranger volunteered to accompany him home. Charles gave him a cup of tea, which he gladly accepted. “What is your name, young man?” Charles said once they were inside his house. “My name is Morgan Ellis, sir, and do you remember me?” the guy said.
Charles hesitated, taking in the man’s expression. When he realized he didn’t identify the guy, his frustrations returned. “I’m sorry. I have Alzheimer’s, and my memory has been bad. How do I know you?” “I was your university student, sir; you taught me for free every day after school, and as a result, I received a full scholarship to an amazing institution in Europe,” Morgan said. “I am who I am now because of you.”
“Morgan Ellis,” Charles introduced himself. “I am overjoyed to hear that I was able to assist you; what do you do for a living?” he said of his former pupil. “I’m a businessman, sir. I have a meeting in a minute, but I’d love to see you again. Can we meet up on Saturday? I’ll have my driver pick you up.” Charles loved Morgan’s company despite the fact that he couldn’t recall him. He nodded cheerfully, agreeing to meet on Saturday. Morgan informed his instructor before leaving:
“Don’t be concerned about losing your memories, sir; what matters is that you can still build new ones in the present. Live life to the fullest – it’s what your wife and kid would have wanted.” Charles was picked up by Morgan’s driver and taken to a private hangar a few days later. He boarded Morgan’s private plane for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. “What are we doing?” he inquired.
“I remember you once saying your ambition was to view the world like birds do, and we’re going on a weekend break in Europe,” Morgan told an ecstatic Charles, who couldn’t stop peering out the window.