Cleo had been driving cabs for two years, and by now, she’d seen just about everything. She’d listened to countless tales, dried many tears, and learned to understand people before they even got into her taxi.
Her thoughts wandered back to the sadness she faced only five months earlier. She had happily told her husband, Mark, about her pregnancy. But he left and emptied their bank account, forcing Cleo to work long hours to take care of the baby by herself.
Just three weeks before her due date, she noticed a lone figure struggling along the highway on a rainy day. He stumbled in worn-out clothes with one arm pressed against his chest as he dragged himself forward.
Cleo knew she should keep driving especially being eight months pregnant but her instincts took over. Rolling down her window she asked “Are you okay? Need help?” The stranger looked shaken and bloody as he begged “I just need to get somewhere safe.”
Without thinking twice Cleo unlocked the doors and he fell into the backseat. She quickly noticed they were being followed when headlights lit up her mirror. With skill like a pro driver she helped this homeless man escape from bad people. Finally losing the car behind them she took him to the hospital. As he thanked her Cleo thought little of what she’d done returning home tired and ready for a quiet morning.
But that morning changed everything.
Men in suits surrounded her house making Cleo’s heart race wondering if she’d unknowingly helped a criminal last night.
“Last night you helped their son Archie,” one explained. The name Atkinson didn’t mean much until it hit Cleo that they were THE Atkinsons – rich family with a tech empire! Their son had been kidnapped three days ago & she’d saved Archie without knowing it!
Archie said “They moved me last night & I saw my chance to run away but I wouldn’t have made it without you! I owe you everything.”
“Please sir this is too much,”she stuttered but Mr.Atkinson insisted “It’s just a small thank you for saving our son.”
Archie leaned closer suggesting that she lead a new community safety program for their family’s foundation—an effort aimed at encouraging more people like herself who aren’t scared to help others.
As Cleo accepted their offer watching them leave in convoy,she felt an unusual lightness; finally free from burdens of recent months lifting off of her shoulders!
