I Can Vouch For The Grouch

(I am on a crowded bus. Next to me is a man with a plastic shopping bag of groceries, and a woman with four canvas bags of groceries. The woman is honestly the most surly-looking person I have ever met, just a scowl on her face, glaring at her phone, like someone forced her to be alive today when she had better things to do. The bus rolls up to the next stop, and the man next to me shifts to allow people out… and his bag splits open on the side, but he doesn’t notice. [Grouchy Woman] quickly condenses her belongings between the other three bags and hands the fourth, now empty, bag to him.)

Grouchy Woman: *mutters at the floor* “Your bag’s ripped.”

Man: “Oh! Thank—”

(Before he even finishes saying thank you, she is shuffling off the bus. I get off, too. Now the grouchy woman is waiting at the bus stop for the next connection with me.)

Me: “Hey. That was very kind of you.”

Grouchy Woman: *just glances up* “Oh.”

Me: “He said thank you but I don’t think you heard him.”

Grouchy Woman: *just shrugs* “I guess I didn’t need a thank you. You just watch out for other people. That’s just what you’re supposed to do.”

([Grouchy Woman], even though you were having what was clearly a rotten day, I was glad to see your priorities were in order and it didn’t stop you from doing something simple and selfless. I was happy to see that little gesture, and I hope someone makes you smile soon.)

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