My chest tightened. The same woman who had chastised me had quietly packed a full meal to take home. I ate every bite in bed, tears slipping down my cheeks, because such unexpected kindness felt both strange and unforgettable.
Later, my mom came in from her long shift, and I told her what had happened. She listened silently and then drew me close. “Sometimes kindness comes with a stern face,” she whispered. “People help in ways we don’t always understand.” Her words stayed with me long after the holiday passed.
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