Taxi driver Patrick is struggling financially as a result of his son’s leukemia diagnosis. He quickly regrets his choice to help a lady in labor when the chance to do so presents itself.
After speaking with Mikey’s cancer specialist, Patrick collapsed onto his kitchen chair.
“Your son needs additional care,” the physician had told him. Given the enormous expense, the undertaking seemed as unachievable as going to the moon. Mikey’s chemo costs and their basic living expenditures were above Patrick’s security job wages.
Will you color with me, Dad? Mikey entered the kitchen with crayons and coloring book sheets. He stopped when he saw Patrick’s face was full of tears. “Dad, are you alright? You’re in tears.
Patrick quickly dabbed at his tears and attempted a grin. “While cooking, I just got pepper in my eye.”
“All right.” Mikey smiled and set his coloring book down on the surface. “I’ll color the daffodils, you color the dragon.”
Mikey handed Patrick a crayon, which he accepted. The sight of the scarlet tint inspired new hopelessness. He hoped he could take his son’s leukemia out by force. He wished Mikey’s suffering wasn’t so severe.
“Get moving, Dad!” Mikey gave him a gentle prod.
Patrick got a job driving taxis part-time a few days later. He was thrilled even though he was initially on probation since this may assist pay for Mikey’s therapy.
Patrick tacked a list of duties on the refrigerator and said to his elder children, Vincent and Stacey, “Here’s a list of chores.” “Please only text me in an emergency and only call if necessary.”
Vincent and Stacey nodded. Although they had always kept an eye on their younger siblings, they now realized Mikey needed more care.
“Don’t be alarmed, Dad. We are capable of this. He got the thumbs up from Stacey.
During his shifts, Patrick patrolled the streets in search of clients. He told acquaintances and coworkers throughout the course of the following few days to give him a call if they needed a ride.
Patrick was summoned into the office by his supervisor at the conclusion of the week.
“Excellent work!” His manager held out a hand. In your first week, you broke the previous record for the firm! Here’s a bonus for your hard work in exchange for your continued employment.
Life defeated Patrick once more just as he was starting to hope for a better future. His cab began making odd noises while he was taking a client to the airport.
After calling his supervisor, Patrick brought the automobile to a repair. He was shocked to hear he would have to pay for the repairs himself.
Patrick said, “Just my luck,” and put his phone in his pocket. “Get the short end of the stick one day, get a bonus the next.”
Patrick believed he couldn’t afford to assist outsiders as he was preoccupied with his own family’s demands. Mikey’s medical care has to continue to be his first concern.
Then the mechanic told him how much it would cost to repair the damaged pieces.
“Is gold what these parts are made of?” Incredulous, Patrick shook his head. Still, he understood that postponing repairs would mean postponing his return to work and therefore his income.
Patrick snapped at the mechanic, “Just fix it.”
“You don’t have to be impolite.”
Patrick gave him a fierce look. He had to be impolite, of course—his bills were piling up! Like he didn’t have better things to do with that cash.
Patrick needed money badly now that he had to pay for the expensive repairs. While his coworkers took pauses to socialize, Patrick continued to concentrate on increasing his profits.
Patrick was growing irritated as he waited for a scheduled customer pickup. He eventually gave the woman a call to find out her whereabouts.
She gasped and trailed off, “I’m on my way, just.
“I’m finding it difficult to walk.”
Patrick pounded the wheel with his fingertips. After a while, a pregnant lady limped to the car. He entered and saw her pale and breathing heavily.
“Are you alright?” Patrick made a query.
With a painful moan, she answered, “I just need to rest.”
Patrick was concerned, but he didn’t have time to be concerned about strangers. Rain made the roads slick, which increased the number of people in need of taxis. Abruptly, the female cried out:
“My water may have just broken,”
Patrick began to panic. He immediately considered the time and money lost on cleaning.
Patrick looked about him and said, “You need to get out.” “I’m sorry, but this is too much for me.”
The woman let out a pained cry. “Oh no, the baby is on the way!”
At a bus stop, Patrick stopped. She clutched his sleeve as he half-carried her to a bench and turned to go.
“Please, don’t leave.” Her eyes begged him to look at her.
“I apologize, but I must.” Patrick pulled his sleeve away from her. For you, I’ll make an ambulance call. You’ll be alright.
Patrick hurried back to his taxi despite the rain. Convincing himself he had done everything he could for the woman, he dialed 911 and quickly drove off.
The next day, Patrick used his day off to take Mikey to the hospital for treatment. He was worn out from receiving calls all night long from unfamiliar numbers, thinking they were telemarketers, so he didn’t answer them.
After making a brief shopping run, Patrick came home to discover an unexpected letter addressed “priority express” in his mailbox.
“What’s this?” he said, flipping the envelope over in confusion. He thought it may be a bill, but what he discovered inside was completely unexpected.
The letter was urgently urging that he get in touch with a nearby birthing facility regarding Ms. Jenna Reid. Patrick has no acquaintances with that name. After unpacking the items, he placed the letter on the table.
The birthing facility was a block away, which he realized when he took Mikey to the hospital later.
“It’s probably an error, but just to be sure, let’s check.”
When Patrick came to the facility, he told the receptionist his name.
“Goodness!” She put down her iPad. We have been attempting to contact you, Mr. Murphy! Due to problems during birth, Ms. Jenna Reid was admitted to the hospital.
She concluded, “She’s in intensive care now.” If she had come sooner, all of this might have been prevented. We got in touch with you immediately since yours was the last number she phoned on her phone. For our records, could you please mention your relationship with the patient?
It dawned on Patrick that Jenna was the pregnant woman he had seen in his taxi.
“Is there someone else I should call?” He inquired. “A family or a husband?”
The female scowled. “She has no emergency contacts with us.”
Feeling a twinge of shame, Patrick turned to go. He ran to the hospital to see whether Jenna was in the intensive care unit.
The nurse apologized and told him, “She’s unconscious and not allowed visitors at this time.” “Are you related to me?”
“Well…He said, “I’m a friend.” “When is the best time for me to visit?”
A few days later, unable to stand to see Jenna and her child, Patrick sat with his head in his hands by her bed. As the devices beeped in time, he thought about his guilt.
“I apologize so much,” he muttered. “I long to go back in time.” I never thought it would get to this point.
Patrick was no stranger to suffering—he had seen Mikey battle leukemia and lost his wife. But he was so ashamed of himself for making Jenna and her child’s suffering worse.
Every day, Patrick would quietly visit Jenna near her bed. A nurse grinned at Patrick as she brought in her kid for a visit.
It’s pleasant to have you here. Visits from family members aid in the recovery of coma patients. Numerous individuals claim to have heard everything around them when they were asleep.
All Patrick did was nod. He watched as Jenna’s infant kicked and gurgled in her cot.
“You’re busy, little one,” Patrick grinned.
“Who are you, exactly?” Abruptly, Jenna responded, appearing perplexed between Patrick and her child.
Patrick said, “No, wait.” He raised his hands. “Your infant is secure. I don’t want to hurt you. I arrived to offer my apologies.
That’s when the nurse raced in. “What’s going on?”
“She’s conscious now!” Patrick smiled and gestured to Jenna.
With floods of relief running down his cheeks, Patrick emerged from the room as nurses and physicians hurried in.
When Patrick came back the next day, he gave Jenna an explanation for why he had kicked her out of his taxi.
“I only saw the expense—cleaning, lost time, and money.” With humiliation, he hung his head. “When assisting a stranger has a cost, it’s a sad world.”
“I comprehend,” moaned Jenna. “I understand what it’s like to feel abandoned and unsupported.”
Jenna was forgiving of Patrick because of his frequent visits. Even her daughter referred to him as grandpa. After raising enough money for Mikey’s medical care, he entered remission.
Years later, at Thanksgiving, with his newfound family at his side, Patrick’s heart was bursting with appreciation for all the wonderful people in his life.
Takeaways from This Tale
Unity is Strength: Although it’s simple to get caught up in one’s own troubles, it’s important to help one another through difficult times.
The Worth of Kindness: Although providing aid to someone in need may appear expensive, such service is invaluable to them.