I had my first job at a local diner called the Buttercup Bakery when I was 22. I worked there for seven years and learned so many lessons, especially from a fellow waitress Helen who had incredible self-respect and did what she loved--serving people. She made everyone smile and feel good, customers and co-workers alike.

Being a waitress changed my life. One of my regular customers was Fred Hasbrook, an electronics salesman. Thanks to the newfound confidence I picked up from Helen, I dreamed of having my own restaurant. But when I called my parents to ask for a loan, they said, "We just don't have the money."

The next day, I shared my dream with him and said, "Fred, I know I can do more if somebody would just have faith in me."

He walked over to some of the other diner regulars and the next day handed me checks totaling $50,000--along with a note that I have to this day. It reads, "The only collateral on this loan is my trust in your honesty as a person. Good people with a dream should have the opportunity to make that dream come true."

I took the checks to Merrill Lynch--the first time I had ever entered a brokerage house--where the money was invested for me. I continued working at the Buttercup, making plans for the restaurant I would open. My investments soured, though, and I lost the money.

After great deliberation I decided to apply for a job at Merrill Lynch. Even though I had no experience, I was hired and ended up becoming a pretty good broker. Eventually I paid back Fred and my customers the $50,000, plus 14-percent annual interest. Five years later, I was able to open my own firm.

I got a thank-you note from Fred, which will be imprinted on my head forever. He had been sick and wrote that my check had helped cover his mounting medical bills. His letter read, "That loan may have been one of the best investments that I will ever make."

1. Where does the narrator work?
2. How old was she when she worked there?
3. Who helped her become a good person and a positive person?
4. Name one of their regular customer?
5. Did he support her in her dream?
6. What about her parents?
7. What was the amount check that he handed her?
8. Who invested the money for her?
9. Did she get more money or she lost?
10. Was Fred happy of her accomplishments at the end?
11. Where did she work then?
12. How much interest did she pay back to Fred?
1. Buttercup Bakery
2. 22
3. Helen
4. Fred Hasbrook
5. Yes
6. No
7. $50,000
8. Merrill Lynch
9. She lost it
10. Yes
11. Merrill Lynch
12. 14-percent annual interest