Doesn’t that sound like the beginning of a good joke or the beginning of a  story that would compare different races and make fun of at least two of them?Well, in this case, it’s a true story, and I was fortunate enough to witness it. I had just parked in front of a place that sells quick lunches, which you can either eat there or take home with you. I was still on the phone with a customer of mine and decided to stay in the car while I talked to her.

I noticed a girl. She was sitting on the side of the place. I could see her, and something about her made me look closer. She was crying, and she tried to hide it. Her head was low; she only looked up when she tried to dry her tears with the back of her sleeve.

I have seen women cry hysterically and often found it to be an act to get some attentions. I was in a girl’s only school for many years, I have seen and learned from the best. I don’t fall for it. It’s the quiet crying, the trembling of the soul that disturbs my whole being. It’s a dynamic that rivets my attention, it has the power to shake me up, even shames me at times.

There was a girl in need, and of course, I would take care of it -woman to woman.  I tried to end my phone conversation when I saw a man kneeling down in front of the girl. By then I didn’t pay any attention to my customer anymore, just watched the situation like a hawk. My protective instinct kicked in and I was ready to interfere at any moment.

They talked for a while, and then another man stopped and joined the conversation. Both men were kneeling in front of the girl, trying to comfort her. Then one got up and walked into the restaurant.

Through the window, I could see him talk with hands and feet in front of the counter. I didn’t hear it, but I could tell he was talking loud. Everybody was looking at him; he had the attention of all.

He came back outside, accompanied by another man and then all three talked to the girl. She got up and started walking toward the restaurant, the three gentlemen accompanied her.

A little bit later I entered the restaurant and placed my order. While I waited for my lunch package, I heard what had happened.

The girl was homeless; she had been sitting on the side of the restaurant for a while. A lady, who was buying a few lunches, bought one for her as well and gave her the receipt, so she could go in and pick out the meal herself.

The girl tried to do just that but wasn’t welcomed. The owner told her she wasn’t allowed to stay and eat at his junk food establishment. He asked her to leave, and he refused to give her the food.

She was hungry, that’s why she had been crying, and that’s when the gentlemen -the white, the black and the Asian- had stepped in. They made sure that she could eat in the restaurant that day and in the future;  they bought her a few more meals.

I don’t cry very easy, but I tear up when something touches my heart. I teared up when I looked at the girl and her three guardian angels. I teared up because my soul was smiling.

There is so much kindness in this world. Often it stays hidden but sometimes it’s there for everybody to see. I got lucky that day!

Tremble