Teens Laugh at Elderly Woman on the Bus — Then a Quiet Stranger Speaks Up

When a homeless guy intervenes to stop two inebriated youths from harassing an elderly woman on a bus, it changes his life.

With considerable effort, Molly White ascended the bus’s stairs, and she was appreciative when she felt a sturdy hand beneath her elbow, supporting her. She cringed as she turned her head to thank him.

The tall, skinny scarecrow-like man who was obviously homeless and unclean was the owner of the hand that was cupping her elbow. With an abrupt movement of her arm away from the man, Molly murmured, “Thank you.”

The man gave a pitiful smile. He was accustomed to seeing rejection and disdain on people’s faces. But despite everything, Tom Carter remained himself. Molly White sat down, her bulk taking up two seats, and he observed.

He was reminded of his mother by something about her. Seeing him like way would have horrified his mother as well. Tom made his way to the back of the bus so he could sit alone.

He closed his eyes and tipped his head back. His thoughts kept returning to his little Daisy and how she had held on to him. Their lives were in ruins after his wife Valery passed away two years ago after receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

Tom spent eighteen months using their savings to pay for Valery’s therapies, even taking out a loan secured by their home, but it was all for nothing. Tom had to sell their home in order to pay off the bills after Valery passed away.

His supervisor fired him after growing impatient with his frequent absences from Valery’s care. Tom had lost his job and his house one day, and now that Valery was dead, he had nothing left but his daughter Daisy.

Tom and Daisy had to relocate to a one-bedroom apartment in a dilapidated inner-city apartment complex with graffiti on the walls and the smell of human waste in the hallways after the house was sold.

People should not be judged by their outward look.

The inevitable occurred when Child Services called: they took Daisy away from Tom, and he was only able to visit her in the group home by appointment.

Before long, Tom was living on the streets, with the sole luxury being a bus ticket that would allow him to visit Daisy.

Tom opened his eyes and sat up, startled out of his daydream by the sound of a booming voice. Tom could immediately tell that the teenager who said, “Looky here, driver!” was drunk. “This here lady has to pay for TWO tickets!”

The teenager was smiling and swaying in front of Molly. His friend strode over, equally inebriated and youthful.

“That’s right,” he said with a sneer. “You gotta pay EXTRA for the extra seat!” The other travelers surrounding Molly studiously turned their heads away as she winced and clutched her purse.

Even if they decided to rob a fat elderly woman, she could tell that none of them would do anything to protect her from these inebriated teenagers. Leaning over, the first teenager prodded her chest.

He exclaimed, “You need to MOVE, lady!” “My friend and I want those seats.”

Molly’s chin went up. “Young man, there are plenty of other seats empty!”

The other teenager came forward. “Sure there are, but we want THOSE seats, and you’re gonna give them to us!” MOlly detected the booze in the teen’s breath as he reached for her.

Just as he reached for her, a strong voice spoke up. “Get your hands off that lady, my friend, or you and I are going to tango!”

The teenager sprang back and spun around at the sound of that voice. When Molly saw the homeless man who had assisted her in getting on the bus approaching the teenagers, she was taken aback.

The man raised his head high and appeared much larger. “You two boys can go quietly, or I can help you off, but you’re getting off the bus,” he stated with a smile.

Molly noticed a hint of panic on the features of the teenagers as they gazed at him. Picking on a defenseless elderly woman was one thing, but getting caught up in the towering, wiry man in front of them was quite another.

Tom moved like a man who knew how to take care of himself, even though his clothing were tattered and torn. The bus came to a stop at that point, and the two teenagers hurried down the stairs while glaring at Tom over their shoulders in terror.

Tom approached Molly and said softly, “Ma’am, were you harmed by those boys? Do you require assistance?

Molly’s eyes were watering as she gazed at Tom. “I’m alright,” she informed him. “I’m grateful. Will you please come with me? “Help me get home.”

Tom gave a nod. “Certainly, ma’am. Anything I can do.

Upon reaching Molly’s stop, Tom assisted her in getting down and escorted her to her apartment complex. Molly demanded that Tom come up and have a cup of coffee and a piece of apple pie.

Molly scowled as she heard Tom’s narrative over the coffee and pie. She pulled out her phone and said, “I wonder…” After asking someone if a particular job was still open, she turned to Tom and grinned triumphantly.

“My son’s right-hand man resigned his job at his upstate farm. I believe you could be the hardworking man he’s seeking for.

Tom was taken aback! “But…I don’t know anything about farming!”

“I told my son that, but I also told him you were strong and determined and that you could learn anything,” Molly continued. Additionally, you have a strong motive to succeed. Am I mistaken?

With tears in his eyes, Tom shook his head. “The job comes with a pretty little cottage and a good salary, insurance, and everything,” Molly stated. “I have a feeling that in a few months you’ll have your Daisy back!”

And everything went according to Molly’s plan. Daisy was returned to her father by Child Services six months after Tom and Molly’s son began working together, and they began a new life.

What do we have to learn from one another?

We benefit ourselves when we assist others. Tom received his life and his daughter back in exchange for helping Molly.

People should not be judged by their outward look. Tom’s disheveled appearance did not impress Molly, yet he ultimately saved her.

Talk to your friends about this article. It could inspire them and make their day.