The Cost of Cruelty
George Harris had just a few minutes left in his shift when the snowstorm hit. Thick, wet snowflakes slammed against the bus windows, making it almost impossible to see the road clearly. He slammed his hand against the steering wheel in frustration.
“That’s all I need today! Of all days!” George muttered to himself.
He pulled up to a bus stop, watching the passengers shuffle onto the bus one by one, scanning their cards as they went. As George glanced out the window, he saw her: an elderly lady in a long, dark coat. She approached the bus slowly, reaching into her purse.
“Oh, great,” George groaned, already knowing it was going to take forever. He was already late, and every second counted if he wanted to meet Angelica’s parents on time.
“Good afternoon,” the older woman said with a warm smile, though her hands were shaking. “I’m so sorry… my wallet seems to have fallen to the bottom of my bag.” She fumbled around in her purse, pulling out a hairbrush, a makeup bag, a snack bar, and even a tiny folding umbrella.
George rolled his eyes. “Lady, can you just find the money already?”
“I’m so sorry,” the woman said, clearly embarrassed. “I went into the city to buy an engagement gift for my granddaughter. I must have dropped my wallet somewhere… Oh no, my phone is gone too!” Her face turned pale, and her eyes welled up with tears.
George, already frustrated, snapped, “I don’t have time for this. You pay, or you get off the bus!”
“Please, son,” the elderly woman said, her voice quiet but full of dignity. “I’ve had knee surgery recently, and I can’t walk far. I can’t drive anymore, and I won’t be able to get home if I don’t take this bus.”
“Why didn’t you think of that before you started this scam?” George shouted, his patience running out. “Get off!”
Reluctantly, the woman began to put her things back into her bag. As she stepped off the bus, George caught a glimpse of her through the rearview mirror. She looked small and helpless, standing alone in the snowstorm. For a brief moment, George felt a twinge of guilt. But then he checked the time on the dashboard clock. He was already late!
His thoughts quickly shifted to Angelica. Angelica, or Angie, was everything George had ever dreamed of. Beautiful, smart, and kind — she was way out of his league. Everyone around him had said it was impossible. Why would the daughter of a millionaire fall for a bus driver?
But somehow, from the moment they met, Angie and George had clicked. She had stood by him, even when her parents weren’t happy about her choosing a man like George. Tonight was a big deal — the first time he was meeting Angie’s family. He needed to make a good impression.
Meeting the Family
When George finally arrived at Angie’s family home, he was a bundle of nerves. The beautiful brownstone in Tribeca was nothing like the small apartment he lived in. As he straightened his tie, he took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.
“I’ll get it!” Angie’s cheerful voice called from inside. The door swung open, and there she was — Angie, in a beautiful dress, glowing with warmth and love. Without hesitation, she enveloped him in a hug, and the scent of her perfume surrounded him.
“Don’t be nervous, I love you,” she whispered softly.
Angie led him inside, and George was in awe of the elegant room they stepped into. Sitting in a chair was a slender woman who looked a lot like Angie. She stood up and smiled at George.
“You must be George!” the woman exclaimed warmly. “I’m Meredith, Angie’s mother. My husband will be a little late. He had to pick up my mother-in-law from the city.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Westerly,” George said politely, trying to ease his nerves. “Your home is beautiful. Did you decorate it yourself?”
Meredith’s face lit up, and she began to give him a tour of the room. She talked non-stop about their travels, showing off knick-knacks from all over the world.
But then something caught George’s attention — on the mantelpiece, in a heavy silver frame, was a photograph of the old woman he had kicked off the bus.
“Oh my God,” George whispered, his stomach sinking. “Who is that?”
Meredith waved her hand dismissively. “That’s my husband’s mother. Angie’s grandmother. She’s always such a trial… can you believe she actually lost her wallet today, or had it stolen?”
“Really?” George asked, an icy feeling creeping down his spine.
Just then, the door opened, and a tall man walked in, his arm around the elderly woman.
“Meredith,” he said with a worried tone. “Please get some hot tea for my mother. She’s freezing!”
Angie rushed over to the old woman and embraced her. “Oh, Gran Millie, you have to be more careful!”
The elderly woman, Gran Millie, looked at Angie with tired eyes. “I’m careful, dear. But someone stole my wallet. I had it when I bought your gift at Bloomingdale’s, but on the bus, it was gone.”
Gran Millie shuddered as she spoke. “The bus driver was the most unkind man! He refused to help me. He told me I was trying to scam him and kicked me off the bus into the snowstorm.”
George’s heart sank as Gran Millie’s eyes locked onto him.
“You!” she cried, her voice trembling. “What are you doing here? If it weren’t for some kind lady letting me use her phone, I’d still be standing out there in the snow!”
Angelica frowned, confused. “What do you mean, Gran?” she asked. “This is George. We’re having dinner with him.”
“I’m not senile, Angie!” Gran Millie snapped. “This is the driver who kicked me off the bus! He made me stand out in the snow, and he called me a con artist!”
Angelica turned to George, her face pale with shock. “You did this?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Look, Angie, I was late,” George stammered, his throat dry. “I didn’t know it was your grandmother.”
But Angie was already shaking her head. The love in her eyes was gone, replaced by disappointment and hurt. She took off the ring he had given her and held it out.
“Here,” she said coldly. “Take it back. I can’t marry you. I don’t even know who you are anymore.”
George fell to his knees, begging for her forgiveness. But nothing he said could change her mind. The woman he loved — the woman he thought was his future — was now gone from his life.
The Price of Cruelty
George left the house in a daze, his heart heavy with regret. He walked out into the snowstorm, realizing that his moment of cruelty had cost him everything he cared about.
What Can We Learn from This Story?
Kindness doesn’t cost anything, but cruelty can cost you the love of your life. George was so focused on being right and sticking to his schedule that he didn’t take a moment to help someone in need.
Had he been kind, he might have been Angie’s husband. Instead, he lost her because he was too selfish to show compassion.
What do you think of the story? Share your thoughts below. This could be a reminder to us all about the importance of kindness in our daily lives.
