Dan the Hero, Part Vii

...“Remember what I told you of my pa, of what I shouted at you on that night, you want a better world? Then help others, but you gotta do it one at a time. “I save one person, does this save the world? Of course not, but the fact of it remains, that person is still here, to live their life, to contribute, live and love everyday. “One less child who has lost their parent, one less dreamer that was snuffed out too soon. I stop a car crash, the streets are safer, stop a drug deal, keep a young man in school. “The world is better because of all this, may not be drastic, but God’s keeping score, the little things make the big picture better, so people can go enjoy their lives more. “You say that this means my quests never end, but I knew that before I even began, I could do what most do without my power, or just not care, be a shell of a man? “Again, that’s a simple answer to me, but I guess I’m just a small-town Catholic. I don’t like seeing pain that I can prevent, and really that is the pure core of it. “It may not be what your readers demand, or what you literati find en vouge, but that’s the whole reason, why I do this… Is there anything else you want to know?” She stammered for a bit, caught up in it, then shook her head and said, “No…not right now.” He smiled and said, “Good timing, I think, since I see my second short-stack coming ‘round.” Tanya remained until they were all done, and watched the man eat three whole meals of food, talking of moving and internet memes, if local sports teams were any good. And then, just like that, the hero got up, paid their bill off and went about his day, Tanya remained there for several moments, was still struggling to know what to say. Even with all that, it still took some time for her to truly comprehend what he meant, how power could show such humility, and choose a fight that it never could win. But ten years later, those doubts were long gone, she understood him and knew his last name, though for their kids’ sake, she kept it secret, those reporters could really be a pain...