Unfiltered Story #342592
(I was in one of my university’s choirs, and we had our Christmas Concert on what turned out to be a frigid, snowy evening. There should have been plenty of time to catch a bus, but everything seemed to go wrong, leading tot he concert lasting much longer than is was supposed to. I missed the last bus to my neighborhood, and the only bus still yet to come would stop 2 miles from my house. Beggars and choosers, I took it, then started walking in my taffeta choir dress and ballet flats under my winter coat. Snow quickly filled my shoes, getting compressed into ice beneath my soles, and I was miserable. I couldn’t tell you how far along I was when I car suddenly pulled over beside me.)
Passenger: Do you need a ride?
Me: Oh, I’m alright. Thanks for asking.
Passenger: No, you’re not alright. (unbuckles and starts climbing out) And I’m not sitting in a nice, warm car while a girl freezes to death. Let me at least walk you home.
Me: You don’t have to…
Passenger: I’m walking, or you’re riding. Not to be creepy, but your lips are seriously blue, and your cheeks are gray. I’m not leaving you like this!
Me: (teeth chattering by this point, I realize he’s right. I’m in a bad way, and need help.) Ttttthank you. It’s not tttoo far.
Passenger: (flips the seat, climbs in the back, and then pulls the seat back down)
Driver: Hop in! You;re letting all my heat out!
Me: (slip and slid into the car, and shut the door, then surreptitiously slip my icy shoes off so my numb feet can thaw.) It’s just [one street over], down just past Main.
Driver: You were going to walk that far? Are you crazy?
Me: I missed the last bus, and I don’t have a phone, so…
Passenger: So we spotted you, and it’s fine.
Driver: We probably won’t get there much faster than walking, with these roads, but at least it’s a little warmer.
Passenger: And not so windy!
Me: Or slippery! Thank you. Really.
Driver: Not a problem.
(We chatter as we move slowly along, and I direct them to my grandma’s house, as I’m helping take care of her while I go to school. When we get there, they help me out of the car, make sure I have all my things, then Passenger climbs back in the front seat. They wait for me to unlock the door, go inside, and turn on a light, before flashing their headlights and driving off.)
(I’m fine, and only had minor frostbite on my toes and cheeks. Grandma was a nurse, so she handled it, and scolded me for not arranging for a ride before hand, which I did for the next concert. But it’s only later, as I’m tucked up in bed with a heating pad and a big mug of cocoa that I realize I never got their names. Boys, if you’re reading this, thank you so much! Please, keep helping folks in need.)
