“Now, now. What are you doing, backing away?” She chastised you. “I’m just a little old lady. Do you think I’m gonna deck you?” She finishes with a homely smile.
You shake your head. Why are you backing away? You’re in the wrong, but she’s just an old lady. “Sorry, ma’am. I’ll get my information.”
“That’d be fine, but I don’t need your money. Admission is all I wanted. You were saying something about a game, and being out of gas, right?” You nod, internally wincing over losing ever more time to watch the game. “How about I drive you out to the station to get you that gas?”
You’re shocked by her kindness. You kicked her car, cursed at her, and she still wants to help. Who is she, Mother Teresa? “That’s very kind of you, but I couldn’t-”
“-I insist. I like leaving on a positive note, to show there’s no hard feelings.”
You thank her once again, and after moving your vehicle off the road and locking it, you go into the passenger seat of her car.
* * *
The ride took a bit longer, since she wanted to use a station that was a bit further in town, but you knew it was still time saved over the walk, and not to mention all the hassle of lugging the gas back in this weather.
“And you’re telling me, this is all over some sports game and needing milk?! How dreadful for the stars to align against you like this!” She accentuates the end with a laugh.
You smile, a bit red-faced over the turn of events. She’s only continued to prove how she’s the kindest old lady you’ve ever met. The car pulls into the station. “Finally,” you mutter under your breath. You’ve come to the conclusion that your punishment has been to learn how much of an ass you were to this lady.