BUS DRIVER EXPELS AN ELDERLY WOMAN INTO THE COLD AND SEES HER PHOTO FRAMED AT HIS FIANCEE’S HOUSE — STORY OF THE DAY.

It was a cold and snowy night when George Harris, the bus driver, was finishing his shift. The snow was falling in thick gusts, making visibility difficult and delaying every stop. George was eager to finish his day, as he would meet his fiancée, Angelica Westerly’s parents, that evening.

When the bus stopped at another station, an elderly woman boarded with difficulty. She was wearing a long dark coat and carrying a heavy handbag. As she approached George, she began nervously searching through her bag.

“Good afternoon,” she said with a sweet smile. “Excuse me, it seems my wallet has fallen to the bottom of my bag…”

George rolled his eyes. He knew he was running late, and every second mattered.

“Can you hurry up? I don’t have all day!”

The woman continued searching, pulling out a hairbrush, a folding umbrella, a cereal bar. “I went to the city to buy an engagement gift for my granddaughter. I think I lost my wallet… Oh no! My phone is also missing!”

George huffed impatiently. “Listen, lady, either pay for your fare or get off the bus. I don’t have time for stories!”

“Please,” the woman pleaded, with tears in her eyes. “I recently had knee surgery, I can’t walk much…”

“That’s your problem! Get off my bus!” George shouted.

The elderly woman put her things back in her bag and struggled to get off. George watched her through the rearview mirror as she stood in the cold, looking lost and helpless. For a brief moment, he felt a pang of guilt but quickly remembered his appointment.

Hours later, George arrived at the elegant Westerly family home. Angelica greeted him warmly, but he couldn’t help but notice a slight tension in the air. He was soon introduced to Angelica’s mother, Meredith, who began showing him around the house.

It was then that George saw something that froze him in place: a framed photo on the mantelpiece showed the elderly woman he had kicked off the bus.

“Who is this lady?” he asked, his voice trembling.

“That’s my mother-in-law, Angelica’s grandmother,” Meredith replied. “Today she had quite a scare. She lost her wallet and was kicked off a bus by a cruel driver…”

Before George could say anything, the front door opened, and a man entered with the elderly woman. It was her, the same woman he had treated so badly.

“Grandma Millie!” Angelica exclaimed, rushing to hug her.

The elderly woman looked up and immediately recognized George. “You! You’re the driver! You left me in the cold this afternoon!”

Angelica’s face turned pale. “George… is this true?”

George tried to justify himself, but his words came out awkwardly. “I… I didn’t know… I was running late…”

Angelica took off her engagement ring and placed it in George’s hand. “If you were able to treat my grandmother this way, I don’t want to imagine how you would treat a stranger. I can’t marry you.”

George stood frozen. He tried to apologize, but it was too late. As the snow continued to fall outside, he left the house with tears in his eyes, realizing that his impatience and lack of compassion had cost him not only his pride but also the love of his life. Kindness costs nothing, but a lack of it can cost everything. Never underestimate the impact your actions can have on others’ lives, and on your own. Be kind, always.