She brought home an old armchair that someone had thrown in the trash, thinking it could still be useful.

Diana stepped outside early one freezing winter morning to throw away a bag of trash in the quiet working class neighborhood where she and her husband lived. She had barely reached the metal garbage containers when an old white van suddenly rolled to a stop beside her.

Two young men climbed out of the vehicle without greeting her and silently opened the back doors. They lifted out a dusty armchair that looked worn and abandoned, placed it next to the trash bins, then climbed back into the van before driving away within seconds.

Diana remained standing in the cold while snowflakes drifted slowly through the gray sky. She looked carefully at the armchair and studied its wide back and curved wooden armrests.

“It is actually quite beautiful,” she thought while brushing snow from the fabric. “With some work and patience it could look wonderful again.”

She ran her hand across the worn upholstery while examining the sturdy frame hidden beneath the faded cloth.
“I will take it home,” she whispered to herself with quiet determination.

After several minutes of effort she dragged the heavy armchair across the icy sidewalk toward the small apartment building where she lived with her husband. When she finally pushed the door open and struggled inside, her husband lifted his head in surprise.

“Why did you bring that old thing here,” asked her husband Russell Montgomery while standing near the kitchen.

“Look at the design,” Diana replied excitedly while catching her breath. “If we replace the fabric and strengthen the frame you could sit here comfortably while watching television.”

Russell walked closer and examined the armchair with a doubtful expression.
“Well we can at least try fixing it,” he said finally.

Together they moved the chair into the modest living room. Russell grabbed his tools and began carefully removing the old upholstery while Diana watched with curiosity.

Only a few minutes passed before Russell suddenly shouted loudly.
“Diana come here immediately.”

She rushed toward him with concern and knelt beside the chair. When she saw what had stopped him she froze completely.

“Russell are you all right,” she asked softly after several seconds while touching his shoulder.

He nodded slowly and forced a small smile.
“Yes I am fine,” he replied. “Let us leave it for now and eat breakfast.”