"Man, these tacos are amazing," the customer said, grinning as he balanced a pack of five tacos in one hand and his wallet in the other. "You''ve got yourself a regular, that''s for sure."

    Ethan gave him a tired but genuine smile. "Glad you liked them. Come back anytime."

    The man waved as he walked away, already tearing into one of the tacos. Ethan watched him for a moment before sighing and tucking the cash into the pocket of his apron.

    He barely had time to exhale before the next customer stepped up to the window.

    The morning rush had hit hard and fast.

    Ethan had been prepared for a decent crowd, but he hadn''t expected this many people to show up.

    Midtown Market was buzzing with activity, and the line at his food truck seemed to grow longer every time he looked up.

    The air was filled with the hum of voices, the occasional shout of vendors advertising their goods, and the sizzle of the grill as Ethan worked furiously to keep up with orders.

    "Two burgers, extra onions," someone called from the window.

    "Coming right up!" Ethan shouted back, flipping patties with one hand while reaching for a stack of buns with the other.

    The system had been right — this spot was perfect. The foot traffic was constant, and the customers weren''t shy about spending money.

    But keeping up with the demand was a different story.

    By 8:30 AM, Ethan was running on pure adrenaline. The grill was a blur of sizzling meat, and the counter was stacked with containers of chopped vegetables, sauces, and toppings.

    He barely had time to think, let alone breathe. Orders came in rapid succession, each one adding to the controlled chaos inside the truck.

    "Three grilled cheese sandwiches, no pickles!"

    "Got it!"

    The system phone sat on the counter, its screen dark and unassuming.

    Ethan hadn''t heard from the system since it had suggested this location, but he didn''t need another nudge to know he was on the right track.

    This was working.

    By noon, Ethan was nearly out of ingredients. The last of the taco meat sizzled on the grill as he assembled one final order, handing it over to a young woman who thanked him profusely before hurrying off.

    Ethan leaned back against the counter, letting out a long sigh. His arms ached, his feet felt like they''d been through a marathon, and his apron was covered in stains.

    But he''d done it.

    The cash in his apron pocket felt heavier than it had that morning, a tangible reminder of the progress he''d made.

    He glanced out the window, watching as the market slowly began to quiet down. The vendors were still busy, but the morning rush had passed, leaving the area less crowded than before.

    Ethan took a moment to clean up the truck, wiping down the counters and organizing what little remained of his supplies.

    As he worked, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

    This wasn''t just about the money, though that was definitely part of it.

    This was about proving to himself that he could still make something of his life, that he wasn''t defined by the mistakes and accusations that had nearly destroyed him.

    When the truck was as clean as it was going to get, Ethan locked up and stepped outside, stretching his arms above his head.

    The sun was high in the sky now, the heat beating down on his face as he took a deep breath.

    It wasn''t perfect, but it was a start.

    And for Ethan, that was enough.