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A lonely 78-year-old man who found his true family, a family that saved his life.
For 10-years, now 78-year-old Charlie Hicks, an Air Force veteran and former accountant, arrived at Shrimp Basket in Pensacola, Florida each day for lunch and for dinner.
Chef Donell Stallworth would prepare Charlie's gumbo, and as time allowed, would join Charlie at his table to talk baseball, and discuss other events.
And then one day, Charlie did not show up.
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A restaurant manager, Denise Galloway called Charlie, and learned he was sick. She offered to bring his gumbo to his apartment.
Denise Galloway with Donell. Photo: x.com
He thanked her and asked her to please leave it outside his door.
After two more days passed, and no word from Charlie, Denise began calling, but her calls went to voicemail. She told Donell, who rushed to Charlie's apartment.
Donell knocked on the door, and heard a faint cry for help. He opened the unlocked door and saw Charlie on the floor.
Charlie had fallen, was gravely dehydrated and had two broken ribs. He called 911.
"When I got there, he didn't even know what day it was or what time it was," Donell told The Washington Post. "He really couldn't talk, because he was so dehydrated."
Donell awaited the paramedics with Charlie. "I don't know what would have happened if Donell hadn't showed up," Charlie told The Post.
Charlie spent two months in the hospital and one month in rehab, and his Shrimp Basket friends visited him frequently, while bringing his beloved gumbo.
Knowing he would need a walker, they bought him one, which everyone signed.
Meanwhile, they secured an empty apartment next door to the restaurant, renovated it and at their request, the landlord brought the lease to Charlie to sign.
Although Charlie never married, and has no children, the Shrimp Basket staff has made him part of their family. And his gumbo is free.
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