Random Acts of Indness

A solitary figure trudged against the gusting Omaha wind. Paul had to lean forward to walk into the wind, being careful to change his angle when the wind suddenly switched direction without notice. Holding on to his hat with one hand and clutching the collar of his Navy Pea Coat with his other, he should have been protected. Unfortunately, it started to snow and sleet. Combined with the below freezing temperature, the sidewalk was becoming covered with ice. The pellets of sleet stung his face and neck. The wrong combination of fickle wind and slick spots resulted in his falling flat on his butt.

He knew he needed to find shelter, but he was not familiar with this part of town. His silent prayer went out, "God, please give me a break. So much has gone wrong. I know it was my fault, but I need help."

He looked to his right to get his face from bearing the brunt of the weather and saw it, the most majestic Catholic church in town. It was overwhelming in its appearance. Everything was vertical and, from his angle sitting on his rear, appeared to reach heaven itself. He was surprised to see a light behind the small, window on the front door. Surely, the church was not open this time of night.

Not knowing a better choice, he carefully climbed the icy concrete steps. He feared doing great harm to his body if he fell on the sharp-edged steps. Finally, he made it to the door. Paul briefly chastised himself for thinking the door might be open. "Not in this neighborhood. Not at this time of night." He was ready to knock but tried the door first. It was open.

He entered quickly. The warmth was wonderful. Paul sighed deeply and looked around. There were hooks on the wall near the door. He took off his hat and coat and hung them up. They looked like icicles hanging there. Paul looked around and almost hollered "Hello," but he thought that would demean the sanctity of the place. There was no one in sight, but he did not feel alone.

The major source of light was at the altar. He was drawn to the glow. Although he was not Catholic, he genuflected as he started down the wide middle aisle. Somehow it made him feel he was being respectful. Paul felt himself unthawing as he approached the altar. Kneeling seemed the natural thing to do, so he did. The majesty of the statues, the wood-carved pews and pulpit, and the gold-gilding all around, brought suppressed emotions to his consciousness. When he started shivering from the cold, it transformed into crying which soon became sobbing. Paul had held it back too long. He could not stop until he was done.

Finally, his cries were drained from his heart. The sounds of crying, however, did not stop. He looked to his right and saw a woman and a child at the altar. The woman was sobbing while the girl seemed to be consoling her. Paul's first reaction was to leave. It wasn't his business to get involved in.

A booming voice came into his head. "No. She needs help you can provide." Paul looked around to see if the message he heard came from some outside source. There was no one else and the woman and child did not seem to have heard it. Paul then assumed that God had sent him a quid pro quo for providing him shelter. He sighed and approached the two. "I don't mean to intrude, you appear you might need some help?"

The girl shouted, "No. We don't take help from strangers."

Her mother reacted quickly, "Janet, that's no reason to be rude." Turning to Paul, she said, "I apologize for my daughter's manners. But she is right, we don't accept help from people we don't know. Thank you anyway." The woman took her daughter by the hand and started to leave.

Paul saw their coats were no match for the weather. "Do something!" the voice demanded. He yelled out to them, "I wonder if you two might do me a favor."

The woman turned and replied, "Boy, did you come to the wrong people to get favors from. We're barely able . . . I'm sorry. How do you think we can help?"

"I've been recently separated from my family. I just don't seem to be able to eat well without someone with me. I would be glad to treat you two to dinner if you would be willing to join me. My name is Paul Adams. Please, I would really appreciate it."

"Mr. Adams, we appreciate the offer but . . . "

"Mom, I'm really hungry."

Paul interceded with a grin, "Yea Mom, I know I could really use a cheeseburger right now." Janet's eyes lit up at his comment.

The woman smiled, "Two against one is not fair. Alright, but just dinner. Nothing more. By the way, my name is Norma Davis and this 'shy flower' is my daughter, Janet."

Paul said he was pleased to meet them and then asked, "Do you know a 24-hour diner around here? I'm not familiar with this neighborhood."

"Actually, I am not from around here either. We were looking at apartments before the weather caught us."

"No problem, I will call a cab and have him take us to one." They made small talk while waiting for the cab.

The cabbie pulled up to the curb. He shouted, "Get in before you freeze my bottom. Boy you guys sure must be religious to come to church in this weather. I never knew the church was open at this time. Oh, well, where to folks?"

Paul answered, "Take us to the nearest 24-hour diner, please."

The cab had just started to pull away from the curb before he slammed on the brakes. "Are you some kind of jokester?"

"No, why do you say that?"

"There's a damn diner two blocks from here. I'm not going to take a god-damned short fare in this weather."

Paul passed him $50. "How about now?"

"Sit back and enjoy the ride."

Arty's Diner soon came into view. Paul's kids would probably call it a 'marginal' place, but Paul knew that sometimes the worst looking places had the best food. They went inside. They were the only customers. According to her name tag, the woman that greeted them was Betty. At this hour, Betty was waitress and cook both.

They ordered and Janet asked for a double cheeseburger, chili cheese fries, and a chocolate shake. Her mother tried to get her to take her order down a notch, but Paul said she could always take any left-overs home.

Paul felt compelled to ask why Norma was looking for an apartment in this neighborhood. She responded, "Price. The only apartments I can afford are in this area."

Janet took over, "We are being evicted. The slimy old landlord said that Mom would have to have sex with him to prevent her being evicted. I threatened to kill him." Turning to her Mom, Janet asked, "We don't have to go back to the apartment tonight do we?"

Norma explained, "We don't have anywhere else to go. The Salvation Army won't take in people this late at night. If we don't go back, we'll have to stay in a place like this all night, if they will let us."

Paul's heart was breaking. "Could I ask you another favor? I have a house that now has some rooms that are not being used. I have not had the heart to move back in since my family . . ." Paul was too chocked up to continue.

Janet piped up, "Was your family killed there?"

"Janet! You have been watching too many crime shows."

Paul's sadness disappeared. "I guess you could say that I killed them." After seeing the surprised look on their faces, he continued. "I cheated. My wife divorced me. The kids went with her. So, I have several rooms and a separate bathroom available if you would like."

"Paul, this is too much to ask. A meal is one thing, but to stay in a house with a man I'm not married to. It's just too much."

"Norma, I admit I have selfish motives. I belong to a fraternal group that tries to see who can provide the most significant random act of kindness. If you and Janet come and stay until you find an apartment, I would probably win the contest, hands down. Can't you help me?"

"Paul, that's the biggest line of bullshit I have ever heard." Then she chuckled. "It's also the nicest line of bullshit I've heard in a long time. But . . ."

"Norma, it's awfully late and Janet is almost asleep already. At least for tonight, please accept my offer. I promise not to get out of line. If I do, you can always use that gun in your purse."

"How did you know I had a gun in my purse?"

"Observation and common sense. You're too smart to walk these streets with your daughter without protection. Besides your purse 'clunked' when you put it on your seat."

"Janet, what do you think? Janet?" She was sound asleep.

Paul called a cab and lifted Janet in his arms and took her to the cab. Memories of times where he carried his own daughters almost started him crying again. When they reached his house, he gave Norma the keys while he carried Janet in. Norma stopped a few feet inside the door. "Did a bomb go off in here?" There were few pieces of furniture and trash was scattered all around. Nothing was in order.

"I apologize. I told my wife, ex-wife, she and the kids could take whatever they wanted. Let's see what is left in the bedrooms." Luckily his girls had been promised new furniture to help them feel better about leaving the only house they had known. Both of the girls' bedrooms had furniture. Paul put Janet in what had been the youngest girl's room which he called 'Pepto Bismol Room' because of all the pink. While Janet lay on the bedspread, Paul showed Norma his older daughter's room. No signs were left of the wall-to-wall posters of his daughter's latest rock band and heart throb, except the spots made by taking off the tape that held up the posters.

"I'm going to check the refrigerator and make a shopping run before I go to bed. Do you like coffee?"

"Can you put it in an IV drip?" She laughed. He immediately fell in love with her laugh. "Cream and artificial sweetner?"

"Done deal. Does Janet have a favorite cereal?"

"Anything with lots of sugar."

"What would you prefer with breakfast?"

"A bagel with cream cheese would be nice."

"You guys will probably be in bed by the time I get back. Lock your doors. Up at 8:00?"

"Fine. Paul, thanks for everything." Tears came to her eyes.

Food, coffee maker, paper plates and utensils were on his grocery list. It was nearly 3:00 am before he hit the bed. He had time for a quick review of the evening. The memory of Norma's thanks warmed Paul's heart and stirred his erection. "No" the voice boomed. "She is not here to pleasure you. You are here to help her."

"Okay, okay." Paul settled in to sleep. "By the way, can you lower the volume when you speak?"

Norma awoke to the smell of bacon and coffee. As soon as Paul saw her, he put the bagels in and handed her a cup of coffee. He pointed to the cream and artificial sweetner. "I'm not sure when the bagel will be done. I'm not used to toasting bagels."

"Thanks. I'll keep an eye on them." Norma fixed her coffee and took a sip. "Ahhh, she sighed. Not this is the way to start a day. I could get used to being waited on like this." Immediately, she realized what she said had greater implications than the simple compliment she had meant. "I'm not trying to . . . uh . . . imply. . . uh"

Paul laughed. "Don't worry about it. Now that we've had a rest, it probably would be a good idea for us to talk. My story is kind of long, and I assume yours is also. Then we can get into where we go from here."

Norma nodded and grabbed the bagel before it got too crisp. She got the cream cheese and a knife, joining Paul at the breakfast bar. "Since Janet is still asleep, I think it's best I go first. I'm sure she'll tell you her version later."

"My husband, Max, was a good husband - when he wasn't drunk. He was a good father - when he wasn't drunk. He was a good worker - when he wasn't drunk. You get the drift. My family tried to tell me, but he was so nice when he was sober. He sounded so sincere each and every time he swore he would not get drunk again. If excuses were dollars, I would be rich now. Anyway, he ran into a tree, driving drunk. He had no life insurance, and all I had was a job as an Office Manager. Then my company was bought out and we were all given a small severance pay. We went from being able to pay the bills every month to needing to apply for bankruptcy. My family said, "We told you so," and would not help except for some clothes for Janet and groceries. I got some temp jobs, but I couldn't pay the apartment rent. I went looking for a cheaper apartment which kept me from looking for work. Janet was accurate in telling you about the landlord's 'offer.' I had to show him my gun before he would leave me alone. I am afraid to go back for our stuff even though it's not much. I guess I do need to go, just to get toiletries and clothes."

"Do I smell bacon?" Sleepyhead was up. "I like my eggs scrambled and white toast. None of that healthy wheat crap."

"I'm afraid she thinks this is her house and not yours. Young lady, remember your manners. Fix your own food."

"Geez, you on your period Mom?"

Paul laughed and Norma shook her head in a combination of embarrassment and disgust.

Janet fixed about six eggs and took all the bacon already cooked. Toast, butter and jelly were accompanied by a big glass of orange juice. As she began eating, Janet stated, "Paul, we need to talk. What's your story?"

Norma said, "In spite of what you've heard from her, I really have tried to teach manners to her. You have any advice on raising a pre-teenager who thinks she is 21?"

"Just tread water and survive." Paul grinned. I know no 'secrets of child raising.'

"Okay," Paul began to tell his story. "I had everything: a loving wife and two beautiful daughters. A great job that paid good money. A nice house, although it's hard to believe it the way it looks now. I had everything, but I wanted more. I cooked the books at the brokerage firm. I cheated on my wife. I was selfish. I was greedy. I got caught. When my firm found out what I was doing, I was allowed to pay back the missing money with interest in exchange for resigning without a letter of recommendation. Most importantly, they agreed not to prosecute. They wanted to keep the scandal quiet so as not to run off customers. I had to agree not to apply to be a broker with any other firm.

"My wife divorced me, and my daughters cursed me. I was willing to give her most anything she wanted. If the divorce had been a football game, she would have been penalized for piling on. She got 70 percent of my assets, alimony and child support. She deserved that and more. However, she got a continual restraining order forbidding me to have any contact whatsoever with her or our kids. She claimed physical, mental and emotional cruelty. And I left the toilet seat up.

"Needless to say, she and they were, and are, very angry. I have been trying to start over. I had not been back to the house since the divorce. Too many bad feelings. I have prayed for forgiveness and promised to turn my life around. So far, I haven't done too much to accomplish that. Helping you two is the first thing that has given me some incentive to begin to move on.

"Does what I've said scare you, Norma?"

"A little. Part of me wants to grab our stuff and run, but part of me wants to help you get a second chance."

Janet interceded again, "I vote for second chance. You don't have chocolate milk, do you?"

With a big smile Paul said, "Not now, but I'll put it on the grocery list." Paul was afraid he may have assumed too much. "You will stay another night at least. I'll be glad to pay you to help me get this place in order. It will take several days to get it in decent shape. I'll be glad to take Janet to school and you can look for work on Monday."

Seeing hesitation on Norma's part, Paul played the 'Janet' card. "Of course, that would mean I would have to give you a credit card and let you loose to decorate how you wanted."

Norma gave Paul a dirty look and witnessed a high five between Paul and Janet. "Outsmarted again."

Paul explained that a nicely decorated house would sell faster if he decided to sell. He had no sense of décor. They only had to pretend to decorate based on what they would want if it was their house.

Norma broke first. "I can't go out in public without different clothes. I noticed your wife left several bags marked 'Goodwill.' Was she that much different in size than me?"

"She is a little bit taller and . . . uh 'heavier' in parts but not too different. You can look and see. Janet too."

Janet threw in her two cents, "He means she has bigger boobs than you do."

"Janet, I swear I'm going to turn you over my knee."

"Hey, I'm the one likely to inherit a small chest because of you. You think I like that?"

Paul said, "I'm going to start making a list of things we need while you two go on with your reality TV pilot. Let me know when you're ready to go shopping."

***

Paul worked on his own stock portfolio from his home office. He was pleased that he was making even more money for himself than he did when he was investing other people's money. While he worked, Norma looked for a job. She would use his car. After several days of no luck, Paul decided to intervene. He called up the head of Human Resources from his old company. The man answered, "You've got a lot of nerve calling me. Surely, you don't expect a recommendation for a job."

"No, I'm calling for a friend. She's been an Office Manager and she needs a job. I know I have no right to ask for a favor, but it's not for me. It's for someone who really needs a little help. She was an Office Manager for Bender Enterprises."

"Yeah, we got several good employees when they closed. Look, I know the former HR head whose now at Carothers. I'll call him. If he says good things about her, I'll take a look. That's all I can promise."

Paul thanked him and gave him the information on Norma. The next day, Paul got a call for Norma. "Hey Paul, I called my friend at Carothers. When I told him who I was asking about, he said, 'Man, if you don't hire her, send her to me. She was the best. I will pay her $15 and hour easy. If she hesitates, I'll go to $17.50.' I've never gotten a more positive recommendation on someone. Tell her to come in with her papers as soon as you can."

Paul gave Norma the good news. They hugged and kissed. The kiss shocked both of them. But they just laughed and kept celebrating. As soon as Janet came back from school, the celebration began again. They went out to eat at the diner where they ate the first meal. Betty was there just as a waitress this night. "Well, you survived our food last time. Back to try your luck?"

The next couple of months got to be very comfortable. The three functioned almost like they were family. Hugs and chaste kisses became normal. Paul began to see Norma more and more in a romantic light. He wished he knew how Norma felt. He was scared to ask her. He was afraid he would scare her away.

Paul wanted to buy Norma a car to increase her independence but knew she would refuse any more help. It was all he could do to keep her from paying rent and utilities. He kept putting her off, saying she needed to save for deposits for a new place. She responded by taking over more of the household chores.

Suddenly he got an idea. While Norma was at work, he went through her papers and found a copy of her husband's death certificate. He took a cab to the office of the company Norma's husband worked at. He met with the head of Human Resources. "I'm here on behalf of Norma Jackson, Max Jackson's wife."

"Terrible tragedy, just terrible. He was a nice fellow - when he wasn't drunk. I felt sorry for his family. What is it you're here for?"

"I think it would help his widow if she were to be a paid a life insurance payment for Max's death."

"We don't offer life insurance as a company benefit. We do have a low-cost policy if employees want to buy one. I checked the records when Max died. He did not have a policy."

"Well, I think he had one for $25,000." Paul pushed a check for $25,000 across the desk. "Of course, I would expect there to be a special 'handling' fee for processing the claim, say 10%?" Paul slid $2500 in cash across the desk.