Pensacola News Journal <\/a>reported.<\/p>\nOn the third day, though, his phone went straight to voicemail.<\/p>\n
Stallworth told CBS News he originally feared the worst. He left in the middle of his shift and drove straight to Hicks\u2019 apartment. <\/p>\n
Hicks is a regular diner at the Shrimp Basket in Pensacola, Fla. CBS<\/p>\n
He knocked on the door repeatedly, but there was no answer. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd right when I was going to turn, I heard something, a voice, just like, \u2018Help\u2019. And then I opened the door up. He was lying on the ground, and I didn\u2019t know what his condition was \u2014 that was the scariest part right there,\u201d Stallworth told the outlet.<\/p>\n
His \u201cbest friend\u201d had fallen, broken two ribs and was severely dehydrated.<\/p>\n
The septuagenarian was hospitalized during his arduous recovery, but the dedicated staff at the Shrimp Basket endeavored to keep his spirits high and delivered his usual order daily. <\/p>\n
After he was released, they went the extra mile and helped Hicks find and move into a new apartment right next to the restaurant so they could keep an eye on him. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe said that Donell had saved his life. And I\u2019m pretty sure that Donell and [the Shrimp Basket staff] saved his life. Donell has been texting him and visiting him. Apparently, they\u2019re best friends,\u201d Hicks\u2019 niece, Christina Neeper, told the Pensacola News Journal. <\/p>\n
The Shrimp Basket crew helped Hicks move into a new apartment next to the restaurant. CBS<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made a connection. We made a connection,\u201d Hicks told CBS News.<\/p>\n
By December, the regular was back at the Shrimp Basket, chatting with Stallworth at his usual table. <\/p>\n
Stallworth told the Pensacola News Journal that they usually start off by talking about \u201cThe Andy Griffith Show,\u201d then let the conversation flow from there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad to have you back, buddy,\u201d Stallworth told Hicks when he entered the Shrimp Basket for the first time since he was discharged from the hospital.<\/p>\n
Stallworth told CBS News that having Hicks so close \u201cis the best thing going.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s that uncle. He\u2019s that grandfather. He\u2019s that best friend. He\u2019s all in one,\u201d Stallworth said.<\/p>\n
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