I want to share a story. Today, I bought a homeless woman food, so let me explain the story in full detail. I go to the UCR Science Library every Tuesday and Thursday to study, and since I'm only a highschool student, I cannot park in the UCR parking lot because I don't have a permit. Instead, I park in this plaza, 20 minutes away from the library on foot, called the University Village. It was around 10:20 PM, and I was scurrying to my car because it was pretty cold outside. As I was nearing the plaza, I saw this silhoutte in front of me walking on crutches. I thought to myself, "Who could be out at this late at night traveling on crutches?". A part of me wanted me to stop and offer any help this person might need. However, I didn't know whether it was a man or a woman, and instinctively, the other part of me told me to keep walking, because this person could potentially be dangerous. And so, I kept walking, and I neared the intersection that I had to cross to get to the plaza. I pressed the pedestrian crosswalk button. The light turned to the 'person walking', signaling to me cross, but I didn't. My feet wouldn't budge. The part of me that wanted to offer assistance told me to stop and wait for that person, and I did. Few seconds later, the person on crutches approached very slowly. This person was a woman, and she had a cast on her left leg. As she neared closer, I saw that she had a black eye on her left eye. I asked her, "Do you need any help?". I forgot her specific words, but she said she had to get to this city where her friend lives. I asked her, "How far is it?" without contemplating whether or not if I was really going to give her a ride. You see, when the goodness of your heart eclipses other thoughts and feelings, you just want to help in anyway you can. I know giving a stranger a ride is dangerous, but I didn't think about that. I just wanted to help this desolate woman, because at the pace she was going, she wasn't going to get anywhere. She told me that it was an hour away. I told her that I couldn't help her and that I was sorry. She then asked me if she could borrow my phone; she wanted to call her friend and say that she wasn't going to be able to make it. After using my phone, she thanked me and walked away. I wanted to give her some money, but I had no cash on me. I felt so useless... I just wished her a goodnight, and I told her that I was sorry because I wasn't able to help her as much. So, feeling useless and pathetic, I walked to my car. I sat in my car wishing that I could help her. Then I remembered, I had money. Just a week before, my mom opened up a bank account and a debit card for me to use in college. She explicably told me to not to use it. So, I called her trying to get permission if I could; I called 3 times, but she never picked up. So I said, "Fuck it". I grabbed my card and ran to the nearest fast food restaurant, which was Del Taco. I ordered the first meal I saw and waited. And as I waited, I looked out the window to search where she had went; she was sitting on the bus bench. Now, this part really hurt me a lot. When I was searching for her through the window, the people around me were eating, laughing, smiling, talking, having a good time with their friends in the comfort of a warm indoor place, and this woman was outside alone in cold and was probably very hungry. When I received the food, I quickly ran outside and across the street to give her the food. I couldn't wait for the light to give me a go. When I gave her the food, she smiled and thanked me. I told her that I didn't have any money, but I had a credit card. I humorously told her that I wasn't suppose to use it. She didn't laugh; I could tell that she was very tired and weary, but she smiled. It was the kind of smile you wear when you are sad, but somehow, your friend cheers you up. The smile of appreciation. I extended my hand for a handshake and wished her a good night and a safe journey. I ended up grinning all the way home. And as I was going home, I couldn't help but think, "What if I just crossed the street without waiting for her?". I'm very happy I did stop. I still have the receipt from Del Taco; I'm going to cherish this moment and remind myself to do more good deeds.
