Not many people know me personally enough to realize this, so I divulge a secret in telling you this story. I don’t mind it, there is no shame in my game. The truth is, I have a thing for hot, fried, golden brown chicken sold in the deli department of my neighborhood grocery store. It’s my go-to meal every Sunday after church; as a matter of fact, it’s a must-have. However, there are times after church that I am in a rush to get there in order to obtain my favorite pieces before anyone else robs me of them.
One particular Sunday, the deli didn’t have any sides to go along with that just- right seasoned, golden brown goodness that I love so well, but that didn’t stop me from making my usual purchase. Trust me, after making my purchase, I didn’t feel much like waiting until I got home, so I decided to sit in my car to enjoy the chicken while it was still hot. (Like me) (Smile).
And hot it was! I began my chicken devouring session with a leg, saving my favorite piece, the thigh, for the encore. The wind was blowing slightly more than usual on this particular day. As I watched nature do her thing, along came three young boys riding by on bicycles. There was something about this three-man crew that drew my attention, so I sat back, smashing the leg of chicken and simply observed them.
One of the boys held in his grasp, a bag of cheese curls as well as the bike’s handle bars. But his grip on the bag was no match for the hunger of the wind. In an instance, the bag of cheese curls was stolen out from the young boys grasp as it flew up and away. The empty bag soared up and up into the air until it was merely a speck on the horizon; all seemed lost.
Though the bag itself had disappeared into the distance, many of the orange curled snacks had fallen to the ground right next to the bike’s tire. Noticing them, the boy began gathering as many of the orange curls as he could possibly salvage, stuffing each down into the pockets of his pants. Meanwhile, the other two members of his crew stood by and watched their friend try his best to make something good come from an unfortunate situation.
Sitting in my car, watching the scene unfold before me, I felt helpless, wondering to myself, what could I do to help this determined young man. Certainly, I couldn’t chase down the bag that had blown away, which most likely was blocks away by now. Hmmmm. What could I do? Putting my chicken leg back into its container, wiping its deliciousness from my fingers and mouth, I grabbed my wallet, opened the drivers’ side door of the car and strolled towards the bike crew.
“Here,” I said to the boy who was still coming to terms with the loss of his snack. I handed him a five-dollar bill. “Just go around to the gas station and buy yourself another bag.”
The boy looked up at me with eyes that used to hold sadness, but now were transformed into excitement and joy. Reaching to accept the bill without hesitation or question, smiling the entire time, he couldn’t believe his luck. Out of my peripheral vision, I could see the other two members of the bike crew watching us. So, I reached back into my wallet, pulled out two more five-dollar bills, and handed one to each of the other two boys. You know what they say, it ain’t no fun if the homies can’t have none, and now they can. The boys thanked me earnestly as they hastily pedaled their way to the corner gas station. Remembering the delicious chicken I left alone in my car, I did an impression of the boys and hastily made my way back to finish what I started.
As I did, a woman who I hadn’t noticed before, approached me with a head nod and a smile saying, “that was nice of you to do what you did for those boys.”
Her comment took me by surprise because, as I said, I hadn’t realized anyone was watching. She continued by explaining, “I was on the phone with my Mother and I told her how you gave those boys money for the snacks they had lost. I think that was so beautiful. God was here today.”
I guess that goes to show, someone is always watching you do what you do, whether it’s good or bad, and all it takes is one act of kindness to change the lives of people. Take care. – Lynette Grace.