Hope at Grand Central
As I rushed through the busy train station, trying hard not to miss my train, a woman approached me with a question in her eyes. I could not be rude and walk on by, the lady was elderly, and the matter seemed urgent.
“Sir,” she asked as she got near, “Could you possibly spare a dime for a phone call? You see I must reach my son; it appears I left my train ticket at home. If we hurry, he might be able to get it to me before the train leaves.”
“Ma’am, I’d love to help,” I replied, “but I am late for my train, I really must be going.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want you to miss your train, Sir. It’s just that if I don’t get my ticket, I won’t make it to Chicago to see the show I won tickets to, and this may be my last chance.”
Not wanting her to miss that opportunity, yet fearful I would miss my train, I quickly fetched a quarter out of my pocket, handed it to her, and tipping my hat, bid her a farewell.
“Thank you ever so much, Sir! I’m off to call my son, er, can you point me to the phone booth?”
Glancing around, I spotted the booths near the ticket office and pointed the lady in that direction. “Have a wonderful day, Ma’am, and enjoy your show.” The lady looked at me as if to say God Bless You, and off she went to supposedly make her phone call. I had no idea if that was what she wanted with the money, nor did I have time to ponder the matter, I was running to catch my train now.
The woman made her way to the phone booth, inserted her money, and dialed the number to her daughter who unbeknownst to me, was currently starring in An American in Paris, a Broadway production playing that evening in Chicago.
“Hello?” “Mama, is that you?”
“Yes, darling, I just had to tell you, I’m on my way! I’m about to board the train that will bring me to see you in the show, I’m beyond excited!”
“Mama, how did you get the money to come see me?”
“A kind gentleman just gave me a quarter to call you, but the tickets I won!! Can you believe it? All Okright dear, I have to go before I miss the train.”
“I love you, Mama, thanks for making my show, see you tonight!”
“Love you too dear, bye now.”
Walking curtly to the train, yet with the assuredness the elderly seemed to have that they would hold the train for them, the woman boarded and somehow ended up in the same car with me. I watched as she approached me, beaming now. “I see you managed to catch the train,” I said to her as she made her way to her seat.
“Thanks to you, Sir,” she replied. “You see, you granted my dying wish.”
Stunned to silence, I smiled.
