Helping Out All Two And A Half Of You

(This happened years ago, way before ATMs had cardless cash. When I am five-and-a-half-months pregnant with our first child, my husband is transferred through work to a different state, away from all our friends and family. I’m not coping very well with the move. The Friday before he starts at the office, he takes me to the city sightseeing, to try to cheer me up. Before heading home, we go to an ATM to get money out. The ATM takes my husband’s card before showing an “out of order” message. I start to cry, knowing that we have little petrol in the car and not a lot of food at home, and that the bank will not be open until the Monday.)

Husband: *hugging me* “Hey, it’s okay. We have enough petrol to get home and me to work. There’s a [Bank] near the office; I’ll go there on my lunch, then get petrol. We have enough canned food until then; it won’t be gourmet, but it’s food. We’ll be okay!”

Me: *still crying* “I know, sorry. It’s these stupid hormones.”

(A gentleman in a suit, who has been waiting for a bus nearby, interrupts us.)

Gentleman: “Excuse me. I don’t mean to be rude, but I just saw what happened and overheard your conversation. Please take this.” *hands my husband $50*

Husband: “Thank you, anyway, sir, but we can’t accept this. We’ll be okay.”

Gentleman: “Please take it. Call it my good deed for the day. I can see your wife is pregnant, and the last thing she needs to be doing is worrying about running out of petrol or not eating properly. Pass it on to someone in need when you can.”

Me: “Thank you so much. We’ve moved from [City] for his work and don’t have anyone here. You don’t understand how much this means to me.”

Gentleman: “Glad I could help. Keep your chin up. Things will get better.”

Husband: “Thank you so much. Do you have a business card? I’d like to repay you.”

Gentleman: “Don’t worry about it; just pay it forward when you can. If you ever get into trouble again, go to [Church in the city] and ask for [Pastor]. He’ll help you.”

(The gentleman’s bus came at that point. He shook both our hands before leaving. His generosity meant we had good, healthy food and enough petrol for the weekend. We never did have to go to the church for help, and we never saw him again. Years later, I still tear up at his kindness.)