My workday started like any other—until I saw a heavily pregnant woman collapse near the shop entrance. I helped her sit, gave her water, and stayed until she stabilized. Before leaving, she pressed a small fastener into my hand and said, “You’ll need this soon.”
Minutes later, my manager fired me for leaving my station. Helping someone, they said, didn’t excuse breaking the rules. I went home shocked but with no regret.
Weeks of job searching followed. Then I found the fastener again—this time noticing a hidden note with a phone number and message: Call if you need help. I realized who it was from.
When I called, she remembered me immediately. She listened, then offered me a position through her business connections—better hours, supportive leadership, and a workplace that valued compassion.
The fastener sits on my desk now, a reminder that doing the right thing can cost you at first—but kindness has a way of coming back exactly when you need it most.
