I grew up living with my mom and grandma, but things were never easy. Despite our financial struggles, we made the best of whatever we had.
One thing we had was love, which was more than enough for us.
When it was time for prom, I couldn’t help but feel excited. Like most girls, I dreamed of wearing a beautiful dress and feeling like I belonged.
A girl in a fancy dress | Source: Midjourney
But I knew we didn’t have extra money that I could use to buy a dress, so I never asked my mom for it.
One morning, my mom, Dina, and grandma, Holly, surprised me with an envelope.
“We’ve been saving up,” Mom said softly, sliding the envelope across the table.
Inside, there was just enough money to buy a dress. I don’t know if Mom had been saving up for me, or if she’d taken a loan, but I was super happy.
A happy girl | Source: Midjourney
“Thank you!” I hugged them. “I can’t believe you did this for me!”
I couldn’t wait to buy the perfect dress that day.
On the bus ride to the dress shop, I clutched the envelope tightly, imagining the gown I’d choose. But my thoughts were interrupted when two workers started checking tickets.
That’s when I noticed a man at the back of the bus. He looked worried.
A man sitting in a bus | Source: Pexels
“I-I don’t have my ticket,” he stammered. “I forgot my wallet at home.”
The workers exchanged annoyed glances.
“No ticket means a fine,” one of them said sternly.
“You need to pay up, or we’re calling the authorities.”
“Please, I’m begging you,” the man said. “I need to get to my daughter. She’s sick, and I have to take her to the hospital. I… I forgot my wallet in my rush. Please, I just need to get to her. I can’t pay the fine.”
A worried man | Source: Midjourney
The bus workers didn’t seem convinced. One of them shook his head.
“We’ve heard every excuse in the book. If you can’t pay the fine, you’ll have to explain yourself to the police.”
My heart ached watching the desperation in the man’s eyes.
I hesitated, thinking about the dress, but something inside me told me this man needed my help more than I needed a gown.
Before I could second-guess myself, I stood up and said, “I’ll pay his fine.”
A girl standing in a bus | Source: Midjourney
The man, Rick, looked at me with wide eyes while I handed money to the bus workers.
“I… I can’t believe you did that,” he said with tears in his eyes. “You’ve saved me. Thank you!”
“It’s okay,” I smiled. “I hope your daughter feels better soon.”
I went home empty-handed and told my mother what had happened. She was furious.
“You gave away the money?” she asked, shocked. “How could you be so naive, Carly? That man could have been! What if he tricked you?”
A woman talking to her daughter | Source: Midjourney
Tears filled my eyes. I didn’t think about that.
That’s when my grandma wrapped me in a hug.
“You did the right thing,” she whispered. “Kindness always comes back.”
A few days later, I attended my prom wearing an old dress. I felt so out of place as other girls twirled in their beautiful, shiny gowns.
I almost regretted showing up until I felt a tap on my shoulder.
I turned and saw Rick standing there, smiling. Beside him was his daughter, healthy and full of life.
An older man smiling | Source: Midjourney
“This is my daughter, Haley,” he said.
“Hi, Haley,” I smiled.
Then, he handed me a gift-wrapped box.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“Please open it,” Rick insisted. “It’s for you.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I unwrapped it. Rick had bought me the most beautiful dress I had ever seen.
“I don’t know what to say…” I began. “This… this is beautiful!”
Rick smiled. “You’ve already said enough by helping me when no one else would. Now, it’s time for you to enjoy your night.”
I quickly changed into the dress and walked into prom feeling like a princess.
A back view shot of a woman in a dress | Source: Midjourney
That night, I realized that kindness really does come back when you least expect it.
