I Don't Believe in Karma

I don't believe in Karma. I don't believe in luck, either or anything of that nature. Like many, I think we make our own luck. Yet I always hear from everyone, "you're so lucky! Things just fall in your lap!"

Maybe.

It was so hot. About 108° which is pretty much the hottest that it gets here where I live. I had just finished my shift and exited my air-conditioned office. I always complain that it is not cool enough, and I was about mutter it under my breath when I walked outside and the unpredicted heat wave took it away. I don't glisten when perspiring and I could feel ridiculous amounts of sweat forming on my body.

So I was standing there near my job, waiting to take the train, hoping that the train's air conditioning hadn't broken down as well. If that happened, we would be forced to take the infamous "bus bridge" which is just brutal--all of humanity stuffed into a city bus. The only positive thing about that is the camaraderie and all of us complaining about the idiot trains.

Some Asian tourists were walking up to me. Not sure exactly where they were from, but they looked frustrated and hot. Just as hot as I was. Sweating. And they looked lost.

It was late. They really weren't that many people out there that hour since I've left about 30 minutes later than I usually do. To be frank, I was a little scared. People were starting to come out, as it was getting dark, to pitch their tents and blankets. Most people are fine, I think--but there are those looking for prey. And there was one behind this group of young adults.

All they could say was "old town, old town, how?" I could hear the train's bell in the distance.

Well, we were a good half mile or so from Old Town. It was getting dark. So I played the scenario in my head. If I give them directions, they're just going to go back the other way and get lost. Also, I would have to take the last train which arrives in 30 more minutes. Yet, it would be fairly easy to walk them to the mall and under the breezeway to Old Town.

So, I did. I called it my good deed for the day, because I don't believe in karma. I don't care if I get "paid back" for my good deed. It's just being a good human.

The next day, I came to work. Same as the previous day. Worked through my day, came out half expecting to see them again. I kind of missed them. Weird. I liked the feeling of doing a good deed for somebody else. But I sat there waiting for the train. And as I saw the train arriving in the distance, I reached to get my employee badge and realized somehow that with my employee badge and my bus pass were not around my neck. In fact, at that moment, I realized I had not had these all day. I brought my lunch so I did not need the little bit of money that I put in my badge carrier. I had not needed my badge because I walked in with my boss. Every minute brought night closer and there was no one in sight. And then, I realized my phone was in my car at the final train stop.

I couldn't get back in the building, and no one lived around there; plus, I didn't have any money or phone, and I was starting to panic. It looked apocalyptic in Downtown; not a soul in sight.

I walked over and put my elbow on top of the bus pass vending machine. My hand was on my head, which was starting to hurt.

I struggled to think of a plan. Beg? What do I do? I was in a daze. I could just get on the train, without a ticket, and let the bus/train driver know. He would probably let me get on. But there's a chance that would be a police officer who would kindly give me a ticket.

I saw I had knocked something off the top of the bus ticket vending machine. Generally, I would just think it was garbage. I wouldn't pick it up off the dirty ground; however, I looked closer. And there on the marbled sidewalk was a bus day pass, used but still good. Apparently, someone didn't need any more and left it there. For me!

But I don't believe in Karma.