Last night I had one of those experiences that restored my faith in humanity and proved that true champions still do exist.
I was out in my 1990 red Miata when I noticed a “flop-flop” sound under the hood. I recognized the sign as a fan belt that was about to give up the ghost.
I foolishly thought that I could make it home. Then at some point I heard the belt break and the alternator light came on. “No problem,” I thought, because there is enough juice in the battery to get me home.
WRONG!!!!
Apparently the same belt drove the water pump. In minutes the car was steaming.
I pulled over and raised the hood. Immediately a young man headed the other way asked if we needed help.
I told him that my fan belt broke and he said that he would be happy to take me to the auto parts store.
At this point, all sorts of things run through your mind. This man is a complete stranger, and his motives could be malicious. But I walked over and chatted with him a bit and decided that he was trustworthy.
On the way to the auto parts store we chatted. He was new in the area, and had just taken a job at one of Coweta’s largest manufacturers. As a recent college graduate he was looking forward to his new career and new life in Newnan Georgia.
He had just rented a place, and his wife was coming down soon. I mentioned that I was a real estate agent and that I would help them find a house when they were ready.
But I digress. When we got back to the car it was nearly dark.
This young man from Michigan did NOT just drop me off and go on his merry way. He pulled out his tools and went to work. The belt that broke was behind another belt which had to be removed first. It was an arduous task under adverse conditions.
It was not an easy job. This young man toiled in the sweltering heat, sweating and bleeding and doing the best that he could as I held a flashlight.
When he finished, of course he would not take any money. This sort of genuine hero never does. I did get his contact information, though, because I am going to help him find a house.
But I will never be able to repay him for his kindness.
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