Hitching from NYC to Cali Kristie got dropped off late one Saturday night in Boerne, Texas. Yeah, Texas again. It seemed like she was always going through Texas one way or the other. She was standing on the main drag out of town when a car passed her and then doubled back.
The driver was a rather plain but friendly woman in her forties, “You can’t stand here like that…” she called out through the open window.
Kristie told her she was waiting for a ride out of town back to the highway.
Still Boerne insisted, “You can’t stay here like that. A car load of these guys around here… drunk on a Saturday night will pick you up and take you out into the woods… You really can’t stay here and I can’t take you anywhere tonight. I have to go to work for a couple of hours and then I’m going over to my boy friend’s house to spend the night. You can stay at my place. Are you hungry?”
Boerne was very chatty. But Kristie appreciated her warning and concern, “I’m not hungry, but I am exhausted and I could use the rest.”
When they got to Boerne’s place, a plain little bungalow, she hurriedly made up a bed for Kristie on the couch. She gave her a couple of Tylenol and a big glass of water. Then wishing her a pleasant sleep, Boerne locked the door and left for the night. Kristie heard her pull out of the driveway and that was about it. She slept the whole night without waking.
In the morning the good Samaritan came home and took her out to breakfast. Then she drove Kristie over the county line and gave her $100 for emergencies. She said, “Don’t worry about paying me back… just do a favor for someone else sometime.”
Kristie hit the road and made it home late that night safe and sound. She forgot about the money until she stripped down to take a shower. Five twenties fell out of her bra. After showering she rested for a few hours and caught up on family gossip. The next day she got dressed in some clean clothes, went down to the bar, and bought a round of drinks for the guys. Everybody say, “Thank you, Boerne!”
(First published 9/19/11)
