Too Little, Too Late
Martha thought she was so careful. She even typed it out on the computer so her handwriting couldn’t be identified. Her mind raced to think of a way out of this.
But before she could say anything, the principal spoke, “Martha, We know about the letter you gave Nathan. It’s too late”. Her life was about to be changed forever because of a few simple words.
Nathan Cook
12-year old, Nathan Cook was like most young boys his age; playful, energetic and curious. He loved adventures and exploring. He was a very inquisitive kid and loved talking to people. He was also very friendly.
Nathan’s mom, Dee, had a hard time teaching him about the danger of talking to strangers as he naturally trusted everyone.
Watch And Stare
She was watching him for a while now. As she drove, she paid attention to what he would say and how he would act. She couldn’t help but stare in wonder at how he behaved.
Nathan got the bus to school everyday. He’d board the bus with other kids from his neighborhood and return from school the same way.
The Bus Driver
Nathan had the same bus driver on most days. Sometimes they changed but mostly, it was Martha. Martha had been bringing kids to school for the past 2 years. She loved her job and she loved kids.
Nathan had formed a close bond with her. But little did he know that as he rode home from school that day, he would never share another bus ride with her again.
Being Discreet
Nathan sat with his friend the whole journey back as he usually did. At his stop, he rose and departed just like normal. But something happened that Nathan wasn’t aware of.
As Nathan waited for Martha to open the doors, she discreetly slipped a little letter inside his bag. It was the first time she did something like this and she didn’t want anyone to see her.
Letter Found
She left the letter anonymous as she really didn’t want to get caught singling out particular kids. But she had to admit, she loved Nathan, he was her absolute favorite.
Nathan went home that day to do his homework but before he even realized he had a letter, his mom, Dee found it. She asked him where it came from and he replied that he had no idea. Then her jaw dropped.
Solving The Mystery
As she continued reading her heart began to race. “Who gave you this Nathan?”, she demanded. “I don’t know Mom”, he replied, “What is it?”.
She asked him where his bag has been all day, questioning him about where someone could have dropped this in without him realizing. It didn’t take long for Dee to realize that this must have been written by his bus driver.
Case Closed
She asked Nathan who was driving today, and when he said it was Martha, there was no doubt left in her mind. She had to do something about this.
As Dee read her son’s letter again, her eyes began to tear. She had no idea why Martha felt the need to write this and it filled her with so much pain. She always thought she was such a nice woman who went above and beyond for the kids. She called the school.
Meeting
The next day, Martha woke to several missed calls. She wasn’t working today but the school had asked her to come in. There was something urgent they needed to speak to her about.
Confused, Martha put herself together and drove to the head office. She entered the office to find the principal, some other board members and Nathan’s mom, Dee present. Dread rose in her stomach as she began to panic.
Cornered
She thought she was so careful. She even typed it out on the computer so her handwriting couldn’t be identified. She raced to think of a way out of this one.
Dee stared at her with piercing eyes as the principal told her that he was made aware of the letter she gave Nathan. Then, he gave the floor to Dee, who spoke with a gentle voice.
Confrontation
This was only the third time they met so Dee felt the need to introduce herself again. “I took the liberty to organise this today, Martha. I received your letter.
“Before you say anything, I know it was from you. And I want to be here to see the look on your face when you hear what will happen next”, Dee said.
The Letter
The principal intervened again to tell Martha that she would no longer have to drive buses as she had been promoted to manager of overlooking all transport within the school.
In her letter addressed to Nathan’s mom, Dee, that she was ‘compelled to write’ was an admiration and applause for raising Nathan who had taken it upon himself to look after and befriend an austistic boy on the bus who found the journey difficult.
Good Parenting
She wrote that she watched him be gentle, kind and patient with him while all the other kids ignore him and even make fun of him. She wrote that he had a heart of gold that was only possible with great parenting.
She then continued to detail her own struggles as she was younger and how she would have loved parents like them or a friend like Nathan.
Overwhelmed
Dee was so overwhelmed with her surprising anonymous letter that she just had to find out who it was and express her thanks. Parenting is tough so it was a much needed affirmation for her!
But when she put two and two together and figured out it was Martha, she just wanted to make sure the school knew of her good deed. However, when she rang, the school had a plan of their own.
Karma
After she explained what Martha did and the hardships of her past, she asked for some recognition for this woman that kindly and graciously looked after all these kids. But the school mentioned that this wasn’t the first time they received a call like this.
In fact, they heard amazing reviews for a while and already planned to give her a promotion! A perfect example of how good work and kindness will always reap rewards!