No good deed goes unpunished.
I stopped to help a woman today whose car had broken down. She had two kids with her about 6 & 8 years old and none of them were really dressed for the snow. I pulled in front of her, put on my flashers, and stayed in my seat, but handed my cell phone to her while she stood on the passenger side, with one leg sort of down off the curb to reach in to get the cell phone.
Because I am a sucker for women with children who need help. Of course, you know what is coming next. MEANWHILE some teenagers with no license were stealing an idling Buick and going for a joyride and they drove around her too fast, skidded into oncoming traffic, hit a car there, bounced into my car, my car struck the woman, and she fell down and broke her hip.
I wish I were joking.
Noah is fine, I am fine, the car is dented but okay (MY NEW CAR), the woman went in ambulance to hospital, Noah got checked out by paramedics, my carseat install was praised, the strap placement and tightness was praised, everyone was very nice to me, we were there for 3 hours and Noah did not even pee his seat, and was generally a trooper, except for screaming the whole time I was talking to 911 and looking around to see if the other people had been thrown from their vehicles. (No; they were fine. Just the broken leg.)
I am feeling cursed and miserable. Despite being very glad for all the okayness. Noah saw me pray for the first time, a prayer of thanksgiving.
Oh and my sister is having a baby and I am going to be a bio-aunt for the first time! And THAT is good news.
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3 Responses to “No good deed goes unpunished.”
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Oh dear! So sorry to hear that. That is some cosmically terrible timing for all of you. Did they catch the teens? They must have if you know they are unlicensed.
I admit to being more cynical than you — when I read “of course you know what is coming next” I thought you were going to say she stole your cell phone and ran off. That would have been less damaging to your car and her health but probably more damaging to your faith in humanity.
What Madeleine said — I was expecting the woman you helped to do something horrible & ungrateful! But man, I’m sorry things turned out so bizarre.
I’m glad you and Noah are okay, so much to process emotionally. It does seem, at times, good deeds bring a price. Many here ponder that regularly. Cars are so much easier to fix then humans. The car seat is a triumph, well done!