There are some stories that leave no one indifferent… We invite you to read another story that will touch your heart. Mary, an elderly woman, struggled to climb the steps of the bus as her frail body made it difficult. Just when she needed help the most, she felt a strong hand grasp her elbow to steady her. But when she turned around to express her gratitude, her smile quickly turned to embarrassment. The hand belonged to Timothy, a tall, thin man who looked homeless and unkempt. Instinctively, Mary pulled her arm away and stiffly said, “Thank you.” Timothy just smiled sadly.
He was used to rejection, but it didn’t change who he was. Watching Mary take up two seats on the bus, he remembered his own mother, who would have been ashamed to see him like this as well. Timothy went to the back of the bus and sat alone. Leaning back and closing his eyes, he thought about his daughter, Daisy. He couldn’t help but remember how she stayed by his side even after his life fell apart. Two years earlier, his wife Valery had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. Despite spending all his money on treatments, Valery passed away, leaving Timothy devastated.
After Valery’s death, Timothy’s world collapsed. He lost his job due to frequent absences to care for her and had to sell their home to pay off debt. He and Daisy moved into a run-down one-bedroom apartment in a dilapidated building. Shortly after, child protective services took Daisy away because they deemed the living conditions inadequate. Now homeless, Timothy’s only solace was a bus ticket to visit his daughter at her foster home. He was jolted from his thoughts by the loud, mocking voice of a teenager. “Look over here, driver!
“This lady should pay for TWO tickets,” slurred the boy, clearly drunk, pointing his finger at Mary. His friend joined in, mocking her for taking up two seats. Mary clutched her handbag, trembling, as the other passengers looked away, refusing to help her. The first teenager pushed Mary in the chest and demanded that she get up from her seat. Despite her fear, Mary raised her chin and said calmly, “Young man, there are plenty of other empty seats.” But the second teenager was not satisfied. He moved closer, his breath smelling of alcohol, and insisted that Mary give up her seat.
