Kind man

The Kindness of a Stranger

I began preparing for the evening celebration only after little Victor, our youngest son, fell asleep. That evening, we were gathering with our closest family to celebrate Vicky’s birthday. Our daughter had just turned ten. The house was quiet: Grandma had taken the older kids for a walk in the park. Suddenly, the silence was broken by the phone ringing. I hurriedly grabbed the receiver to keep Victor, who was stirring in his sleep, from waking up. It was my husband.

— Could you have picked a worse time? Don’t you know the baby naps after lunch? If you’d woken him, that’d be it! I wouldn’t get anything done for the evening, just stuck watching him! — I whispered into the phone, irritated.

— Why are you getting so worked up? Alright, sorry. I just wanted to give you a heads-up that we’ll have an extra guest…

— Did some relative show up? — I asked, nervous, since I hate surprises like that. But my husband, as usual, was in a rush and didn’t explain:

— No. Look, I’m busy. We’ll come together tonight, and you’ll see then! Bye!

— Bye, — I muttered. A bad feeling crept over me immediately.

My husband didn’t get back until 7:30 p.m.

— Late even for your daughter’s birthday! We’re all waiting for you. The kids are losing patience! — I greeted him with a well-deserved stream of complaints. Then I noticed someone standing behind him.

The uninvited guest was a short, stocky man in a knit cap and jacket.

— Valerie, this is Fred… He came to the city looking for work from out of town.

When I turned on the hallway light, I understood why my husband hadn’t brought Fred into the living room. The man’s face was covered in bruises, his nose swollen, his lip split…

He clearly felt awkward and avoided eye contact, though his eyes seemed kind when our gazes met briefly. But I didn’t have time to ponder the stranger’s character. I also knew arguing with my husband was pointless. Without a word, I led the “guest” to the kitchen and sat him in the corner by the fridge, then busied myself at the table so no one would notice my unease.

After the formal part of the celebration ended and everyone started digging into the food, I pulled my husband into the bedroom to finally talk calmly.

— Listen, Valerie! — he said firmly, emphasizing every word. — I don’t want Fred to feel uncomfortable here. He’s a decent guy, came here to work, but he got robbed and beaten at the train station.

— Beaten?! — I exclaimed, and Alex quickly squeezed my shoulder, signaling me to lower my voice.

— Some thugs attacked him early in the morning right on the platform, and now the guy needs help. He’ll stay with us for a while.

— But what does he have to do with you? — I was furious.

— Alright, I’ll explain. He’s a friend of a colleague who asked me to meet him because he had to leave town urgently for business. For a while.

— Have you forgotten we have three kids, and Mom lives with us? This is a complete stranger! Do you get that or not?!

— Yes. But the decision’s made. He’ll stay in Vicky’s room, and she can stay with Grandma for now!

I tried again to convince my husband to get rid of this suspicious character, but, as expected, I got nowhere.

My mom wasn’t thrilled about the idea of a lodger either, but my husband was unyielding, insisting it was a matter of honor, that he’d never abandon an innocent person in need. For the sake of peace in the family, I gave in. But what kind of peace was this… Thoughts of how to get rid of Fred kept swirling in my head. Yet time passed, and he stayed.

— Oh, you’ll bring trouble on us! — Mom lamented. — What a strange guest my son-in-law brought!

— Mom, Alex says Fred’s already found a job and will move out as soon as he saves some money, — I tried to reassure her, though I was desperate to get the guest out myself.

It was hard to believe he’d found work. I even tried tailing him a few times. He’d leave at dawn and return after dark. Mom had her own theory:

— He’s probably started some gang with lowlifes like himself. He’s definitely up to something… The neighbor said she saw him with some shady characters!

Realizing that Alex’s stubbornness and my own compliance were putting our kids’ lives at risk, I was consumed with worry, helplessly awaiting the outcome.

And it wasn’t far off.

That day, the hair salon was packed with clients. I was exhausted, barely standing. Then I saw my son through the window. He was racing toward the salon. He burst through the door, scared and talking excitedly:

— Mom, something’s wrong with Grandma! She collapsed by Victor’s crib!

After hearing that, I rushed home with my son, dialing my husband on the way. Thank God his phone wasn’t off!

We didn’t need to call an ambulance—my son had already warned me: “Uncle Fred called the doctors for Grandma and stayed with her. He told me to run to you. Your phone wasn’t answering!”

Out of breath, we burst into the apartment, but… everything was under control! The paramedics were already there. Nurses were checking Mom’s blood pressure, and she even managed a smile when she saw me, though she looked terribly pale and worn out. Little Victor was asleep in Fred’s arms, and Vicky was clinging to his shoulder. The paramedic said Mom’s condition had stabilized, but she needed to go to the cardiology unit immediately.

By then, Alex had arrived. After discussing the situation, we decided Mom should go to the hospital with the ambulance right away. I had to rush back to the salon to keep clients and income, and Alex needed to get back to work.

Who to leave the kids with—that was the problem! Then we learned Fred wasn’t going anywhere that day. He’d come back early from some odd job, which, amazingly, had saved Mom. What’s more, he agreed to stay with the kids until evening. Honestly, though I was grateful, I was still nervous. I didn’t love the idea of leaving the kids with a stranger, so I warned them I’d call every half hour.

Before leaving, I pulled my older son aside and asked him to let me know immediately if anything happened.

Bobby looked at me, surprised.

— Mom, come on… What would we have done without Fred?! He showed up just in time! He knew what to do, called the ambulance, carried Grandma to the couch, put a pillow under her legs. We tried calling you, but you didn’t answer, and Dad was out of range…

— My poor babies! Were you scared?

— I wasn’t scared! But Vicky started crying, woke Victor, and he started screaming… I couldn’t lift Grandma…

— Didn’t you think to call the neighbor?

— The neighbor? Mom, you don’t know life, — he said importantly. — Our neighbors are only good for gossiping. I heard them scaring Grandma, saying this bandit would kill us all at night and bring his buddies to rob us. But he helped us!

— Alright, alright, my little wise man. If that’s the case, you’ll stay with Fred. I’ve got to run… But still, be careful, son!

Back at work, I called home right away. Vicky chirped into the phone: “Everything’s fine, Mom! Uncle Fred warmed up some soup and fed us all. He’s carrying Victor around, singing to him. He promised to help me and Bobby with homework once he gets Victor to sleep.”

I felt a bit relieved but still asked Dasha, my coworker who lives a couple of blocks away, to check on them while I visited the hospital.

Mom greeted me with a smile. Later, in conversation, she admitted she’d been wanting a break for a while. “Maybe what happened to Mom is a sign she’s overworked?” I thought. “We’re always at work, we have three kids, and Mom’s not getting younger…”

— The doctors say it’d be good to go to a sanatorium after treatment… And it seems we now have someone who could take over my duties for a bit…

— Mom, what am I hearing?! Is this about Fred?! — I asked, stunned. — You were the one saying all sorts of things about him! Even now, I think we barely know him. Yes, he helped us a lot, but who knows what’ll happen next?! And can a single guy handle three kids? Anyway, I’m already working on it. Dasha, my coworker, if you remember, offered to help. We’ll pay her.

— I think Fred can handle it, — Mom said confidently. — Yes, we said and thought all sorts of things… but we were wrong! Turns out, first impressions aren’t always right. You have to trust people more. I realize now how unfair I was to that poor guy with my suspicions. Don’t doubt him—he’s a good person!

Alex picked me up from the hospital after stopping by to see Mom after work. He didn’t stay long and kept rushing me—we needed to get back to the kids. On the way, we discussed what to do. While Mom was in the hospital, we’d have to manage somehow. Alex suggested I quit my job for now. But I didn’t want to: I had a steady clientele, good earnings… We’re raising three kids, and Mom needs treatment! Money doesn’t grow on trees.

— Maybe we could ask Fred to help? — I said as Alex parked the car. — He seems to manage…

— Is that you talking?! Did I hear that right? Two weeks ago, you wanted to throw him out, and now you’re ready to leave the kids with him? — Alex looked at me, studying my face, clearly doubting I was serious.

When we got home, dinner was on the table, the dishes were washed, and the washing machine was humming in the bathroom. Soft voices came from the kids’ room. We peeked in. The room was dim, lit only by a floor lamp. The kids, already in pajamas, were in bed, while Fred and Dasha sat in armchairs. My friend was reading a bedtime story. Everyone was in great spirits.

Alex sat on the edge of the bed, and I checked the other room. Little Victor was fast asleep. Suddenly, I heard a polite cough behind me. I turned—it was Fred.

He spoke:

— I’m so grateful for everything your family has done for me…

— But we’re the ones who should be grateful! — I interrupted, embarrassed. Then, somehow easily and without any tension, I switched to a familiar tone: — You helped us so much today! I’m sorry I didn’t trust you before… It was kind of silly…

He looked at me closely, and only then did I notice the bruises on his face were nearly gone. The swelling had subsided, and Fred looked quite pleasant. His smile was warm… and his eyes, truly, very kind. Now I could see it clearly—very kind!

— Any mother worries about her home, her kids, — Fred said calmly. — When a stranger shows up, dirty and beaten, how could you not be scared? Who knows where he’s from or what he wants…

Patting his shoulder, I called Alex over. We asked Fred and Dasha to help with the kids and household while Mom was in the hospital and sanatorium. They agreed right away. I even got the sense they’d enjoy working together. Dasha was blushing sweetly when she looked at Fred. And no wonder: I must admit, I’d never seen a man handle household chores so skillfully or connect with kids so easily. The neighbors still gossip, but that doesn’t matter. Fred’s no longer a stranger. He’s part of our family.

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