The man with kids proposed a deal. Since the other man who did nothing all day had 

time

on his hands. Why not give some of it to him?

"That sounds so crazy I might be open to it. What will you give me in return?"

"Money."

"Isn't that just a job?"

"You're right. You don't want a job do you. How about I give you my gratitude?"

"I could use some of that. I don't get enough gratitude in my life."

The man who lived alone thought about gratitude. His life living alone. He didn't speak to anyone for weeks at a time. He listened to 

podcast

s all day to fill the void. This is the life he had wanted. And yet when the man across the table offered him gratitude, it was like he awoke. Suddenly he felt alone. Alone because he felt what it was like -- even for just a second -- what it would feel like to be needed by someone.

He had told others that he wanted to write a book others would need. But what if that was all a sham. And actually he just wanted to be needed. Wanted to be vulnerable enough to allow himself to need.