A 9-year-old boy was having a bad day, and an even worse birthday, until a police officer came to the rescue.
"I was 1," said officer Austin Lynema, "and saw Thomas running down the sidewalk trying to catch up to his 2, crying. When I stopped my car and asked him if he had any 3, he just shook his head."
He was nervous when Lynema first 4 him. In a child's whisper, Thomas said "I am 5 because I don't catch the school bus and I really want to attend 6 on time as usual." Thomas was a straight-A student and had never 7 a day of school.
On that late February day, Lynema 8 that Thomas was worried for another 9: It was his birthday. "Thomas told me that he didn't think anybody else would 10 to his birthday party" said Lynema, "because his family had just 11 to the US from Tanzania".
Lynema decided to 12 Thomas by attending his party. "I knock at the 13 and he comes out and sees me." said Lynema. "He's 14 up and down, smiling and he can't believe that I 15 was able to show up." But no one else did.
The story 16 the local news and has had 17 results. Lynema has now received cards and 18 for Thomas birthday from as far away as California.
"As a(n) 19, you will see thousands of people and most of the time you don't ever 20 these people again," Lynema said. "But I'm glad that I get to see Thomas again and again."
