Debt of Kindness

Short Story

“Be nicer than necessary to everyone you meet. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle.”
-Socrates (Phillips, 2011)
Debt of kindness
Shelly stared out of her car into the open and saw a light layer of snow almost like estranged
cotton buds falling on her office building. This was the fifth signal that Shelly had to stop her
car in which only added to her misery. Altogether, Shelly was in a bad mood due to her
inability to reach her workplace on time being a punctual worker. On top of that Shelly
already had a lot on her plate today due to the new project, which she was assigned. Shelly
rushed through the driveway to her office, as she was already 10 minutes late to work. As
soon as she stopped her car in the parking the cleaner came in front of her vehicle. Shelly
somehow saved herself and the man from an accident and got out of the car to confront him.
“Were you not able to see a car coming Mister, you could have gotten us both in a
dreadful situation right now!” Shelly shouted. With droopy dark eyes, the man looked up at
her, a petite blonde-haired woman with blue eyes. The man did not say anything and started
walking towards the opposite direction from where Shelly stood without even Apologising.
Shelly was not a woman to tolerate the absence of chivalry and politeness in people.
I will not let this man go without him addressing that he made a mistake and unless he
apologises to me for the delay, Shelly though to herself.
“Listen Mister!” she called after the man in an irritated tone. The parking area was dimly lit
and Shelly had a problem in pointing out how far he had walked while she fumed stood there
and thought to herself.
“It looks like you do not have the slightest sense of wrong doing and hence you do not even
know how to apologise for your mistakes.” Because of your little stunt now I am 20 minutes
late to work!” Shelly shouted.
“I am sorry lady. I did not see your car coming and hence stepped in front of it. I
apologise for the trouble I have caused you.” The man said meekly. Shelly noticed his clothes
for the first time; he was wearing a rugged, shabby cleaning uniform that held his name tag.
‘Steve Michelle’ Shelly read his name under her breath. Slowly shrugging off the cold Shelly