The lifeguard.

Charly had moved to another state for work reasons, that was his first night in that house he had rented weeks ago and the next day he would start his new responsibility in a high level position in an important company. The house was a little far from everything, about 300 meters away, he had only one neighbor, whom he had seen from his car when he arrived at the house, but he did not know him. He went to bed early with a strange emptiness in his chest, since he was a child he had hated moving; so that empty house and his things stored in boxes on the floor made him shiver.

He got up very early the next day, he dressed up very smartly for his first day of work, he had to be there at 8:15am, he had plenty of time to prepare a good freshly ground coffee and quite loaded. Then he went to the living room where all his things were in boxes, and looked for where his coffee grinder was stored, he put the coffee inside and put it to work but it did not do anything, Charly found it strange, this had not happened to him before.

He uncovered it quickly, as he felt that this would be a delay, indeed it was in very bad condition inside, many loose pieces, Charly realized that something had gone wrong in the move, maybe they had dropped it. He was upset, but above all worried because he felt that he could not go to work without having at least a cup of coffee, it would show on his face, what kind of impression he would give to his colleagues and boss, now he was an important man, he had to take care of those details.

He looked out the door to get some air, he considered leaving like this, he had the car keys in his hand. As he headed for the car he saw a light on in the distance, he knew it was his neighbor's house, so it occurred to him that if he was awake at that hour, maybe he would have some coffee to share with him. He got in the car and drove to his neighbor's house, he was about to regret it when the man peeked out the door. Charly got out of the car a little embarrassed, said hello and introduced himself. His neighbor told him his name was Lucas, he did not look like an old man, however he looked very haggard.

Charly told him about his coffee problem, and Lucas didn't hesitate to invite him in. He poured two cups of rich, steaming coffee and they sat down together to drink it, Charly felt a little strange, the house was very messy and dirty, it seemed that no one lived there, but that coffee was so delicious, he had never tasted such a good one. Lucas told him that it had been many years since he had had a neighbor and that he usually felt very lonely. Charly listened to him while he looked around, when suddenly his eyes came across a picture of a woman and a girl, he stared at it.

-They were my wife and my daughter - Lucas commented with his eyes flooded with tears - they died in an accident four years ago, since then my life is sad and miserable, you are the first person with whom I have talked and shared for a long time.

Charly was petrified, he didn't know what to say.

-I'm very sorry Lucas, I can imagine the pain you had to endure alone - Charly stared at Lucas while he spoke to him - but you don't have to be alone anymore, now we are neighbors and I think we can be great friends, look how your coffee saved my life this morning, only a good man opens the doors of his house like that to a stranger.

Lucas smiled, he hadn't done it for a long time.

-Would you like to come tomorrow, to drink coffee with me before going to work? - Lucas asked.

-Of course, my friend, I'll come whenever you want," answered Charly tenderly.

He looked at his watch and it was time to leave, the new friends said goodbye and Charly started his car towards the city. And while the wheels of Charly's car drove him away on the pavement wet with the night's dew, Lucas walked to the basement, where a noose hung from the ceiling beam and swung in a pendulum inviting him to death. Lucas cried a little as he untied the noose and threw it in the trash.

Charly never knew it, but his broken grinder and the solution of going to ask for coffee at his neighbor's house had saved Lucas' life that morning.