At 5:15 a.m. Scott Phillips was next in line at the checkout counter of Walmart. He had stopped on the way to the airport to pick up toiletries for his flight to Colorado. But the errand was taking longer than he expected or thought necessary.
At last the matronly cashier was scanning his items in methodic fashion when Scott heard a small child whimper at the back of the line. He looked in that direction and saw a graying, neat but tired woman attending to the child with obvious patience and love. The woman reminded Scott of Miss Triskin, his seventh grade teacher, only older and in clothes that had seen more than their share of washings. Still, the woman carried herself just like the teacher whose strict but caring style had motivated him to do his best which had lasted all through his high school years and eventually resulted in his appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Scott glanced at the woman’s shopping cart. It contained diapers, some baby food, cereal, cleaning supplies, and many cans of soup. All the items were “house” brands suggesting a woman of limited means. As Scott returned his credit card to his wallet, he had an impulse. He withdrew the $100 bill he carried for emergencies and quietly handed it to the cashier telling her it was to be used to pay for the purchases of the woman in the line with the child. When the cashier hesitated saying she didn’t want to be responsible, he was firm in his instruction and directed that any change from her purchase should also go to the customer. Unwilling to listen to the cashier’s whispered objections, Scott took his toiletries and left the store.
###
Sara Adams nervously watched her items being scanned and bagged in the checkout line as she fingered the few bills in the pocket of her worn jacket. Andrew was now asleep against her chest. She had been coming to the discount store in the early morning hours for several months to avoid chance encounters with people who might recognize her. Times were hard. The remnants of her savings and the small welfare checks she received were barely adequate to pay utilities and buy food for Andrew and herself. But with her pride intact, Sara found it awkward to encounter former students or their parents, many of whom nodded politely but avoided further eye contact.
When Sara’s total on the checkout display reflected $33.72, she cringed, knowing the three ten’s in her pocket would not be enough. Tears formed in her eyes as she anticipated yet another embarrassment from her situation. She dared to look at the cashier who had an odd grin as if she recognized Sara’s predicament and would enjoy the situation. But as Sara mentally reviewed her purchases for something to do without, the total on the display suddenly reflected “Change Due” of $66.28.
The cashier, who had turned toward the register, now turned back to Sara with several bills and some coins in her hand. A broad smile had replaced the grin on the cashier’s face, her eyes about to overflow. As she handed Sara the money and her receipt, the cashier whispered, “A nice man left a hundred dollar bill to pay for your purchases. And he said if there was any change, you were to have it too.”
Sara looked in every direction before stammering, “What man? Where?”
The still-smiling cashier replied, “I don’t know, Hon. He was a nice-looking fellow with a beard and a jacket that said ‘Phillips Construction’. Here, take the money and maybe do something special for the little one.” With that the cashier turned to assist the next customer in line.
Sara hurriedly pushed her cart toward her car, her eyes scanning for a bearded man among the few cars and trucks in the lot at this early hour. However, the only person she saw was a woman in business clothes walking briskly into the store. After getting Andrew strapped into his car seat and loading her purchases, Sara jumped into the car and locked the doors. All the way home she watched for a car following her but saw nothing. Once home and inside, Sara relaxed a little but was still perplexed by what had transpired at the store.
###
One week later Sara’s curiosity overcame her pride. She found the number for Phillips Construction and called. After several rings a gruff male voice answered, “Yeah, this is Phillips Construction.”
“Perhaps you can help me. I’m looking for a man with a beard who may be an employee of your company,” Sara said hesitantly.
“The only guy with a beard here is the boss, Scott. Hold on, will ya?” Sara heard the guy holler, “Scott, get line two. It’s some woman for you.”
Seconds later a man came on the line speaking pleasantly but with authority, “Good morning. This is Scott Phillips. How can I help you?”
The sudden recognition of the speaker’s name caught Sara off guard but she proceeded, “Mr. Phillips, my name is Sara Adams. This is awkward. But did you give a $100 bill to the cashier at Walmart one morning last week to pay for my purchases?”
There was a lengthy pause before Sara heard, “I didn’t mean to offend, Mrs. Adams. It’s just that you reminded me of someone special and you looked like you could use a hand. I hope I didn’t cause any embarrassment.”
“Mr. Phillips, you should know that my maiden name was Triskin. I believe I was your teacher in seventh grade.”
The enthusiasm in Scott’s voice was unmistakable. “So, it was you, Miss Triskin. I mean Mrs. Adams!”
“Please call me Sara. And may I call you Scott?”
The former teacher and student played catch up for a few minutes before Scott invited Sara to lunch. She was reluctant saying that she would need to bring Andrew along. Scott assured her that it wouldn’t a problem and they settled on a place a few days later.
###
During lunch Scott learned that Sara was a widow whose daughter had borne a child but abandoned him when she learned he was mildly austic. Sara’s disappointment was obvious. “She calls home every month or so, always from somewhere different.” She hesitated before confessing, “I couldn’t find daycare locally that would take a child with his needs. So, I quit my teaching job and have been staying home to care for the little guy. Scott, it hurts to admit that times have been difficult with no family to help, limited income, and the trials of carrying for a special needs child. You were very perceptive that I was someone needing a boost that day at the store. Your generosity truly brightened my day. Thank you.”
###
Sara’s difficult situation weighed on Scott for days after their lunch. In the forefront of his mind was the tremendous impact Sara had had on his education and on his successful life in general. It was also obvious that Phillips Construction was suffering from the loss of his father’s leadership following his stroke and his mother’s office manager’s skills since she had left the company to care for her husband.
A plan began to develop in Scott’s mind. Phillips Construction was completing the conversion of a large, older home in the city for two retired nurses who planned to operate it as a childcare center. Scott had gotten to know the two compassionate nurses quite well during the conversion process. Maybe they would consider…?
###
Five months later the office of Phillips Construction was again organized and running efficiently thanks to the new office manager. Sara’s skills and work ethic were ideal for the construction business. And the normally chauvinist construction guys respected this feisty, intelligent woman. Best of all Sara said she loved the care Andrew was getting at the childcare center during the day and for the first time in over a year she felt she was getting control of her life.
Scott smiled when he thought of the impact of his gesture. Although he had only intended to lend a hand to one person in need, his actions had touched several lives, including his own, in a very positive way. Scott vowed to make more gestures in the future.