MooOb
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Kindness answered ... - 04/12/2008 16:01
It had been a rough night for Nettie Hudspeeth, and it looked like it was going to get rougher. A cold December drizzle was chilling her to the bone, and she could tell by the hot flush on her cheeks and the ache in her eyes when she looked left or right that she had a fever. It was a two-mile walk from downtown, where Nettie stood under the blinking Christmas lights, to the hospital emergency room. Netti was tough and unsparing of herself. But she knew she couldnt walk it, not tonight.
When youre homeless in a small town, you options are limited, and Netties lapses into screaming rudeness had foreclosed many of them. People remembered your face, and your fits, and crossed to the other side of the street. Nettie searched for a kindly face but saw only tired ones. A woman hurrying by with bulging department store sacks pressed a dollar into Netties hand without speaking, without looking into her face. Thanks! Nettie called after her. Thanks, she muttered again to herself. Now what?
Then she saw him: the softest touch in town, a sure ride and probably good for ten bucks besides. Randy Downing had helped Nettie before, several times. Excuse me! Can you do me a favour? she implored. Im sick. Ive got to see a doctor. Could you please just give me a lift to the hospital?
Randy frowned and shook his head. Im sorry. Ive had a long day, maam. Im out of work, and Ive been looking all day, and its late, and
well, you dont want to hear all that, but I cant do it tonight, maam. Im sorry.
Hed had no dinner no lunch, either, for that matter and he was tired, cold, and discouraged in a way that went through his down jacket worse than the north wind. Randy put his head down and stomped past Nettie and on down the sidewalk in the rain.
He didnt get far. Oh, hell, he said to himself half a block later as he turned back. When he caught up to Nettie, he said, Come on. I guess I can drop you off on my way home. Nettie followed him, silent as a pet lamb.
Randy knew what he was in for. Nobody too sick to walk to the ER is going to suddenly feel well enough to walk back. And walk back to what? Netties spot under the Third Street Bridge wasnt exactly the ideal place to recuperate. The trouble with a person like Nettie was, once you started to help her, there was no place to quit. It was going to be a long night.
After Nettie checked in with the ER triage attendant, Randy put his last thirty-five cents into the vending machine in the hospital corridor and then slumped down in the low-backed waiting room seat. Whey didnt they make these chairs more comfortable? Nobody ever got out of the emergency room fast three hours, minimum, was his estimate. Seeing Netties famished look, he held the peanut M&Ms out to her, but she waved them away, lost in her won fevered thoughts. Randy started just as bleakly at the flank wall in front of him. He didnt even notice when Nettie was called into the treatment room.
You can go now, she said as she nudged his arm to get his attention. You dont have to wait. Ill be fine now.
Nah, Ill be here when you get out. Youll need a ride back to town, Randy said. He didnt say back home. He knew there was no such place.
Exhausted, Randy nodded off several times as he waited. The last time, when he lifted his heavy lids, he noticed a man across the aisle smiling at him.
You dont remember me, do you? asked the stranger.
Randy shook his head.
We worked together last year? That construction job out of Auburn?
Oh, sure! Randi smiled. Good to see you. Whatre you doing these days?
Im working a big job down in Fremont. Were buried. Well be there until March. How about you?
I dont have anything right now. Just spent all day look, but
his voice trailed off, and he shook his head again.
Well, you ought to talk to my boss. Were down four men over there. Hes desperate for guys. You could probably start tomorrow morning. Come on, lets call him right now. Fumbling in his pocket for change, the tall young man walked to the pay phones, Randy behind him.
A few minutes later, the two men were shaking hands.
See you at six-forty-five!" Randy said as the other man picked up his jacket and left the hospital with the women hed been waiting for. Randy looked around the waiting room, now suddenly empty. He walked over to the receptionist sitting behind the big round desk, tears glistening in his eyes.
Maam, Ive learned something important tonight, and I have to share it with someone. Can I tell you about the amazing thing that just happened to me?
Sure, she said, smiling. I could use a lift tonight.
(A Friend in Deed, Sharon Elwell, A Cup of Comfort for Friends)
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