I witnessed a terrified school bus girl beating on the back window on my way home. My world halted. Something was badly wrong. How could a youngster be in danger on a safe school bus? My heart skipped a beat as I chased the bus to find out.Each raindrop on my windshield as I drove home echoed my heart’s sadness. Today was my worst day. First, my fiancé canceled our wedding last week, and now I lost my job. My head was cluttered with thoughts and emotions…I muttered, “Stay calm, Mollie,” knuckles white on the steering wheel.
“There must be another way. If one door shuts, another opens, right? But the remarks rang hollow. How could I tell Mom I was fired at home? She worried herself sick.
She’d been my rock since Dad died, and I didn’t want to disappoint her. My phone buzzed five times. Mom again. I stopped at the curb and replied. “Yes, Mom, I’ll be there in 10 minutes. I’m driving. Mollie, honey, did you see the weather forecast? A major storm is coming. Please beware.” Swallowed hard. Nothing compares to my inner maelstrom. Yes, don’t worry. I’ll arrive soon.
”Is everything okay? Sounds off.” “I’m fine, Mom. Just exhausted. Got to drive, okay? I love you,” I hung up, throat stiff. How could I tell her I was fired for criticizing management? Though they claimed “not meeting quarterly targets,” I knew the actual reason. The worst that could happen now? Putting the car in drive, I mumbled.
Not knowing, I would soon find out. A yellow school bus passed me as I rejoined traffic. I saw a little girl with her face on the glass and her tiny fists hammering madly in the back window.
The girl cried for aid. “What the”? Oh my goodness… Is she okay? Oh, I gasped. I accelerated to catch the bus without thinking. This toddler was upset, but why? A apparently safe school bus could put her in danger. I muttered, “I’m coming, hold on, sweetie,” blasting my horn. As if nothing was wrong, the bus driver drove on.
With panic in my chest, I acted quickly. I swerved around the bus and cut in front, stopping it in the busy road. The hefty driver with a thick black mustache stormed out.
What kind of stunt are you doing, lady? You almost caused a crash!” I ignored him and rushed to the bus. Noise hit me like a wall. Kids surrounded the girl, shouting and laughing. I ran to the back, where the small child sat alone, crimson and crying. Reaching her, I froze. Definitely not what I expected.
“Oh my God!” You having an asthma attack? The tiny girl nodded furiously, her chest struggling for air. Heart racing, I knelt alongside her seat. What’s your name, sweetie? Asking quietly, I tried. She showed her ID card around her neck. Her name Chelsea. “Okay, Chelsea, we’ll help.
Where’s your inhaler? Chelsea shook her head, speechless. When I looked up, the driver was pale and following me. “Where is her inhaler?” Shaking his head. “I… I had no idea she was struggling. It’s so loud back here I couldn’t hear.” I snapped and searched Chelsea’s backpack. Nothing. As the girl’s lips became blue, panic gripped me. “Help me look!” I yelled at the driver. We looked behind the seats, along the aisle, everywhere.
I was horrified to see the other kids laughing and pointing at Chelsea. This isn’t funny! Snapped at them. “She needs help!” Then it hit me. I grabbed their backpacks despite their objections. “Hey, you can’t do that!” screamed a freckled boy. A Chelsea-branded blue inhaler was in the third suitcase I checked.
I approached the backpack-owning boy. “Why have this?” He said, “It was just a joke.” “A joke? She could have died! “I ran to Chelsea to help her take the inhaler. Her breathing and face color restored slowly. She recovered as I held her hand and whispered comforting words. Wringing his hands, the driver stood. I’m sorry. I had no idea… My rage flared as I faced him. You’re responsible for these kids! Check what was going on when you heard a commotion!
“He nodded shamefully. You’re right. I apologize.” Chelsea whispered as she yanked my sleeve. “Thank you.” Those two sentences impacted me harder than anything else that day. After this, I couldn’t leave her. “I’m staying with you until we get you home, okay?” Chelsea nodded, smiling slightly through her tears.
I faced the driver. “Moving my car and riding with her. Is that okay? He nodded swiftly. Of course. This is the least we can do after… Everything.” I noticed my hands shaking when I got off the bus to park my car nearby. What a day. On the bus again, I comforted Chelsea with my arm. The other kids were unusually silent now, realizing the gravity of what happened.
“Why didn’t the other kids help?” My request was gentle. Lower lip trembled in Chelsea. They find it funny when I can’t breathe. Sometimes they hide my inhaler. ”It shattered my heart for her.
“That’s wrong, Chelsea. Knowing that, right? She nodded, glancing at her hands. “I try to be brave, but sometimes I get scared. ”Squeezing her shoulder. You showed great bravery today. When you needed support, I noticed. That requires guts.” Small smile on her lips.
“Really?” “Really. You’re one of the bravest persons I’ve met.” Chelsea pointed to the window two stops later. This is my parents and dad! Chelsea’s parents ran over, confused, as we stepped off the bus. Her mother looked at me nervously, “Chelsea, who’s this?” Chelsea said, “This is Mollie,” with a firmer voice. She saved me.”
After Chelsea told what happened, her parents went from confused to grateful to angry with the bus driver, the other kids, and the circumstance. Chelsea’s father cried, “I don’t know how to thank you.” “I’m glad I helped.
”Chelsea’s mother, Mrs. Stewart, insisted on driving me home. We arrived in the mall parking lot to sheets of rain. “So, Mollie,” Mrs. Stewart asked me over the rain-streaked glass, “what do you do? ”I chuckled bitterly. It’s funny you asked. Today I lost my job.” Mrs. Stewart raised eyebrows. “Sorry to hear that.
What happened? I sighed, reliving the day. “I exposed unethical practices. That upset them, so they devised a reason to release me. ”A moment of silence from Mrs. Stewart. She added, “My husband and I run a small business. We may have room. Are you up for an interview? Unsure if I heard her, I blinked. Are you serious? She grinned. “Absolutely. I want someone on my squad who would go so far to help a child.”
As we approached my car, the rain had subsided to a drizzle. My business card came from Mrs. Stewart. “Call me tomorrow,” she said. “We’ll arrange.” Hope burned in my chest as I held the card.
“Thank you. I will. ”The next morning, I felt lighter than in weeks. I told Mom everything. Reflecting on job loss, Chelsea’s rescue, and prospective new opportunities. She hugged me tightly, beaming with joy. “I always knew you were meant for great things, darling!”
While dialing Mrs. Stewart’s card number, my heart raced again, but with excitement rather than fear. “Hello, Mollie,” Mrs. Stewart said on the phone. I appreciate your call. What do you think about an afternoon interview? I couldn’t help smiling. Would love to. Many thanks for this chance.”
I almost heard her smile as she said, “No, Mollie.” “Thank you. You saved our daughter. This is our minimum. ”I cried after hanging off the phone. For once, they were tears of delight, not despair.
I was thrilled to discover that God always opens another door. Sometimes that new door leads to unexpected locations.