The Good Samaritan

The following blog post is actually a short story. I hope you enjoy it and please, feel free to leave your comments! All are appreciated!

THE GOOD SAMARITAN


“Crap!” Traci muttered to herself. Her beat up Honda Civic greeted her with a bright red Low Fuel light as soon as she cranked it up. “This is just what I need right now, An empty tank and no money.” Frustrated and tired, she pulled her car into the nearest gas station. Looking at the price per gallon, Traci considered getting out and leaving the car sitting right there.
She grabbed her wallet...6 bucks and some change, 32 cents to be exact. She rummaged through her glove compartment and cup holders, another 87 cents makes its way to the gas fund.
“Alright, So far, so good.” Tracy thought to herself. “Seven bucks should get me to class and home. I’ll worry about tomorrow when it gets here.”
Opening her car door, she absentmindedly touched the locket hanging from her neck. Inside it was a picture of her grandmother. Their relationship was beyond close, it was more...epic. She was the one that took Traci in at the age of 9 when her mother was found dead from a heroin overdose. Even though she was well up in age, that didn’t stop her from giving all she had to make sure Traci never went without.
“Child, the only thing you need to worry about is church and school. Get them prayers and them studies right and let me worry about the rest.” Her grandmother used to say. And that is exactly what Traci did. She studied hard, and prayed harder. Finishing the top her of class, she was granted a 4 year academic scholarship. Nothing made her granny more proud than watching her baby walk across the stage. But the excitement of that moment was short-lived by her sudden death. Traci’s grandmother passed from a heart attack in her sleep the night after she attended her granddaughter’s ceremony. She shook herself free from those painful memories and looked over in the passenger seat at her future, her pre-med textbooks. The traumatic loss of her rock caused her to focus on her classes and her bible, even harder. She had to make it, no matter what.
She gathered all her change and headed into the gas station to pay. It was so hot outside you could have fried an egg in the shade. This is exactly what Traci was thinking when she said thank you to the man that politely held the door open for her. She couldn’t help but wonder if he felt like he was suffocating in that designer 3 piece suit he wore. Even though he came into the store after her, she somehow ended up behind him in line. As she checked out the expensive clothing, the top dollar shoes and the Italian leather wallet, Traci knew he would be putting allot more than 7 bucks in his car. She sighed to herself, “One day...”
Seeing his turn in line approaching, the man opened his wallet and pulled out his credit card. A single, folded 50 dollar bill fell out and landed inches away from Traci’s foot. She looked around to see if anyone else had noticed, they hadn’t. Moving forward, she quickly bent down, snatched the bill off the floor and stuffed it into her pocket. Handing the 7 bucks to the cashier, she headed back out to her car. Passing the man sitting in his car, Traci started to feel uneasy. Sure she took the money, but she wasn’t a thief! He dropped it and walked off. That makes it all fair game, right?
She tossed this question back and forth in her head before making the gut wrenching decision to give the money back. As much as that 50 bucks would bless her situation, she decided that it just didn’t feel right to keep it knowing who it belonged to.
"Hey,“ she pep talked herself out loud, “I know who I serve. I don’t have to take from someone else.” Opening her door again, Traci headed over to the man still sitting in his car browsing through a newspaper to deliver her confession.
She motioned for him to let his window down.
“Excuse me sir. If I could speak to you for one moment.” she respectfully asked.
“Of course you can young lady.” He exclaimed. His face colored with curiosity as to why this woman was approaching him.
“Well, to be honest, I have something that belongs to you. You see, when you were in line you dropped this money.” She pulled the bill out of her pocket and handed it to him. “I acted on impulse and kept it. For that I apologize.” After finishing her poorly rehearsed speech, Traci turned on her heel and hurriedly headed back to her car.
The man stared after her in utter astonishment. Never had he ever seen such a genuine act of honesty in a person. He didn’t know how to react; she walked away so quickly he didn’t even have time to say thank you. So he did the next best thing.

He wrote down her license plate.

A few days later, as Traci sat in her kitchen studying for an upcoming exam. She heard a knock at the door. Not expecting company, she inquisitively peeked out her side window to see who had popped up without calling.
“FedEx? They must have the wrong apartment.” Traci mumbled as she opened her door.
“Yes? How can I help you?” she asked the carrier.
“I have a certified letter for a Traci Johnson. Just need you to sign here ma’am.” Traci did as she was instructed and took the package. Closing the door she ripped the thick envelope open and pulled out a letter along with a smaller envelope with her name typed on the front. As Traci scanned the letter, her heart stopped. Then started beating out of her chest.

Dear Traci Johnson

My name is Thomas Whitfield, CEO of Whitfield Technologies.
Several days ago, you returned to me a 50 dollar bill. For that wonderfully, refreshing good deed, I never got the opportunity to say Thank You. Too often in life we see such selfish acts that proper moral decisions like the one you made go unnoticed, and unrewarded.
Due to your hasty retreat, I was forced to utilize my resources to track you down so that I could personally extend my thanks for your kindness and honesty. Enclosed with this letter, you will find a cashier’s check. This is my way of saying Thank you for restoring my belief in the good of mankind. I do not know what your plans or goals may be, but it is my sincerest hope that this gift will help you along your way.

Never stop doing what is right. You never know who you will affect.

Sincerely,
T. Whitfield

Not even knowing the amount, Traci opened the second envelope with tears streaming down her face. She fell to her knees screaming and shaking. The whole room started spinning and everything fell out of focus but the check she held in her trembling hands.

Pay to the order of Traci Johnson...In the amount of $25,000.00








*Remember, nothing that we can do for ourselves will ever top what God can do for us if we let Him.*


Until Next Time...
DaniC