The Bus Station Miracle

It was just another day at the bus station.

I couldn’t afford a car, as I had a fixed income, so I had to take the city bus. I didn’t mind it, even though it wasn’t free.

I enjoyed seeing the town and meeting new people. Especially since my children were grown and had their own lives to live, so they couldn’t visit often.

Too bad the 30- and 90-day bus passes had gotten so pricey, or else I’d purchase one. At least the fare was still one dollar per ride, and I walked to a lot of places.

But today, as I stood in the bus station across the street from the community college, a small grocery store, and the drive-thru coffee stand, I searched through my wallet, and my heart dropped.

I didn’t have enough money to get home, one dollar short, to be exact. How did I not notice that earlier?

I sighed, remembering I’d left it on the kitchen counter. I must have forgotten to grab it before leaving.

And it wasn’t Fair Week in which all bus rides were free.

So, I began asking people for a dollar, trying not to sound like a beggar. But it seemed no one carried cash, and the ones who did couldn’t afford to spare a dollar bill.

My heart pounded heavily against my sternum. How was I going to get home? It was too far for me to walk back, and I didn’t have money for an Uber.

Then, I noticed a girl with short blonde hair and a blue backpack stepping into the bus station. I couldn’t tell her exact age, but I was pretty sure she came from the college.

Could she help me?

Unsure how the exchange would go, I approached her and asked, “I’m sorry for bothering you, but do you have any money?”

She looked up from her phone, removing her headphones, “Uh, yeah, hold on.”

She put her hand in her coat pocket and pulled out a purple wallet, opening it. Then she handed me several one-dollar bills, “Here you go.”

I quickly counted the money, which added up to five dollars. “Thank you so much!”

“Yeah, no problem.”

She quickly put her headphones on, boarding Bus 26, which went out of town.

Bus 131 followed suit a few minutes later, and I was able to get on this time, sitting at the back of the bus.

The bus peeled away from the station, and I leaned back into the blue seat. I was one of five passengers so far.

It only felt like a blink of an eye before it was time for me to pull the cord to signal the bus to stop.

Exiting the bus, it didn’t take me long to reach my home, unlocking the front door.

I smirked at the pile of one-dollar bills neatly stacked on the counter. I then made sure they went into my wallet before I forgot and found myself in the same fiasco again.

I probably wouldn’t get lucky two days in a row.

The home phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts. “Hello?”

“Hey, Mom.”

“Well, hello, my sweet girl.”

My daughter chuckled over the phone, “Just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing.”

“Oh, I’m doing well.”

“Anything interesting happen on your travels?”

“I accidentally forgot to bring enough money with me—”

“Mom!”

“But a kind girl helped me out.”

She sighed loudly, “This is why I want to get you a cellphone.” She paused for a moment, “But I’m glad someone helped you.”

“Me too.”

“Well, I better get off. My boss is glaring at me.”

I smirked, “Okay, I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

I ended the call.

It might not have that much to her, but that girl had made my week.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. Subscribe for more content!