A kind looking older gentleman

Description

A kind looking older gentleman rolled down the power window on the front passenger side
and kindly says, “Young lady, I almost never stop for people along the road, but I felt that you
might really need some help.
“I don’t have a cell phone. My son and daughters keep insisting that I get one, but I just
don’t understand those new-fangled gadgets and frankly don’t want to.”
“Oh, thank you so much. I am so cold and wet. I didn’t think I was going to make it through
the night,” she wailed, fighting back sobs.
“Where are you headed? I am not going too far. I am headed for a doctor’s appointment.
That is about 15 miles from here. Do you have family around these parts? How old are you?
You look awfully young to be out here all by yourself. How long were you out there in this
cold?” then embarrassed, he paused. “I’m sorry, that is too many questions. My wife always tells
me I ask too many questions and talk too much. It is none of my business and I apologize.”
“Oh, that’s okay. It’s just good to hear a voice right now and even better to be in the car. It
is really warm and thanks again for stopping.”
The rest of the ride to Dodridge was very quiet, Heather didn’t answer any of the kind old
man’s questions and he didn’t ask any more. Neither of them volunteered any information and
neither asked for any. But the warmth of the heater blowing softly at her feet and directed also at
her still numbed red hands was satisfying and it seemed this was all that was needed at the
moment.
As the two pulled into town, the soft-spoken man asked a final question, “Is there any place
that I can take you?”
“A café would be just fine. After last night, a hot cup of cocoa and a bite of breakfast would
be most welcome. Thank you so much for your kindness.”
“I wish there something more I could do to help you. Do you have any money? I don’t have
much, but I could help you a little.”
“No thanks,” Heather smiled. “I’ll be okay now. I’m sure sorry for getting your car seat all
wet and muddy.”
“Not a problem, I’m sure it will dry before long and it’s just a little dirt. I’m just glad that I
could help you this far,” he spoke softly as he handed her a twenty-dollar bill.
As she exited the car in front of the Stars and Stripes Café, she glanced over her shoulder to
see the gentle man give a rather concerned smile and drive slowly away.
Standing in the doorway of the café, she watched him disappear around the next corner and
head north.
“Come on in and close the door,” a curt middle-aged waitress nearly shouted she wiped her
hands on a tea towel looped in her apron string. “We are not trying to heat the great outdoors.”
As Heather stepped in out of the cool fall morning and allowed the door to close behind her,
she looked for a table or booth which was out of the direct sight of everyone. She wasn’t in the
mood for conversation or company.
As she settled into a corner booth as far from the door as possible, the same rude waitress
strolled over to her.
“What’ll you have? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around these parts before, have I?”
“No, I have never been here before. I’ll take some hot chocolate, two eggs over easy and
wheat toast.”
“Would you like some bacon, sausa…” she began but was interrupted as quickly and as
rudely as she greeted Heather at the door.
“No, just hot chocolate, two eggs over easy and wheat toast,” Heather repeated.
“You look like a drowned rat…” the waitress began.
“Okay, now can I get my breakfast?” Heather interrupted again.

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